Boys Basketball: Joliet Central can’t get going
By Jeff Vorva For Sun-Times Media December 26, 2012 9:38PM
Joliet Central’s Jonah Coble (left). | File photo
Updated: January 28, 2013 4:05PM
The opening round of the 40th McDipper Tournament was not kind to the two SouthWest Suburban schools that entered it.
After Bolingbrook was upset by King, Joliet Central tried its luck Wednesday night against Rich East and was turned away 75-65 in Richton Park.
Jonah Coble and Jalen Heath each scored 25 points to try to pull the Steelmen (6-5) back from a 16-point deficit after three quarters but could not get the team over the hump.
“Coble and Heath did a nice job but needed some help from the other players,” Central coach Jeff Corcoran said. “We played as hard as we could but we need the role players to step in when guys get in foul trouble.”
The Rockets (5-2) broke the game open in the third quarter when they went on a 12-1 run midway through the third period to take a 43-28 lead. Brandon Cole (14 points) knocked in two three-pointers in the run and Ronald Lawton (15 points) added four points.
The Rockets put back-to-back 25-point quarters against the Steelmen in the second half. Central scored 31 in the fourth quarter but it was not enough. Don Henderson led the Rockets with 23 points and 19 rebounds as the Rockets had a 41-22 rebounding advantage.
“For the most part this year we’ve played with a decent flow and haven’t had many stretches like that,” Corcoran said of the 12-1 run. “And you just can’t give up 25-point quarters like that.”
Central faces Rich Central at noon Thursday in the consolation quarterfinals. The Steelmen lost to Rich Central 57-52 earlier this season.
“We’re trying to get better as a program,” Corcoran said. “This is our third year as a program (since Joliet Township split into Joliet West and Joliet Central) but that’s an excuse that has to go away. We have to find away to take the next step and to win games like these.”
