Somonauk tops Hinckley for third time this year

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One big quarter propelled Somonauk to the Class 1A Streator Regional final.

After a horrendous first half of shooting, the No. 3 seed Bobcats put it all together in the third quarter to pull away from Hinckley-Big Rock and advance 51-37.

A date with No. 2 seed Donovan awaits Somonauk, with a regional championship and a date at the Bobcats' own sectional on the line.

Somonauk's leading scorer, Scott Powers, was held in check by aggressive defense from H-BR's Ryan Salazar. And Ryan Austin shut down Somonauk sharpshooter Mitch Bunkofske, holding him scoreless.

But a good shooter can only be held down so long, as Powers proved in the third quarter after going scoreless in the first half, which ended in a 16-16 tie.

After Matt Houghtaylen and Steve Weismiller each scored on feeds by Shayne Peterson, Powers was open on an inside-out look from Houghtaylen. The senior guard knocked down a 3-pointer, then added a drive and another trey later in the quarter.

Peterson also connected on a 3-pointer for the Bobcats, who made 9 of their 13 shots in the period to open up a 39-27 lead with eight minutes left.

"We've had those one-quarter bugaboos, and I was hoping we wouldn't have it today," said H-BR coach Bill Sambrookes. "Give Somonauk and their coaching staff credit, they were able to find guys who were open."

After Ryan Korth and Tim Tokars scored for the Royals to open the fourth, Somonauk's scrambling defense -- which seemingly challenged every Hinckley-Big Rock pass -- prevented the Royals from mounting a challenge.

"We were more patient in the second half offensively," said Somonauk coach Ron Hunt, whose team missed its first nine shots and trailed 7-0. "On defense, Steve Weismiller took a couple huge charges for us. It should be a good game (against Donovan). We've seen them a few times and they've seen us a few times, so we know what to expect."

Powers finished with 12 points, all in the second half. But Peterson helped take the pressure off Powers by scoring 14 points, while Josh Rivera and Houghtaylen each added 10 points for the Bobcats.

It was the third straight Bobcat victory over Little Ten Conference foe H-BR -- all by double digits-- as Somonauk continued its special season by improving to 25-3. The Bobcats will face another thrice-beaten team in Donovan tonight.

Salazar had 13 points for Hinckley-Big Rock, which finished 17-12 and only graduates three seniors. Tokars had 13 points and 11 rebounds in his final game as a Royal.

Class 1A Streator Woodland Regional