Boys Basketball: Dundee-Crown escapes Prairie Ridge

Dundee-Crown’s chances for a Fox Valley Valley title are still alive, but just barely.

Those hopes almost flat-lined on Wednesday night as the Chargers narrowly survived with a 44-39 come-from-behind win against last-place Prairie Ridge.

With the score tied at 39-39 and just under a minute to play Chargers guard Cordero Parson drove into the lane where he was greeted by a host of Wolves defenders. However, the sophomore had the presence of mind to dish the ball off to Thomas McNally, who was left open under the basket. McNally laid it in for the go-ahead basket and converted a three-point play after being fouled.

“We knew we had to keep our composure,” said McNally. “We did a good job of working the ball around and Cordero made a nice pass with a lot of defenders around him.”

Prairie Ridge missed on its final four shot attempts, while Bruce Dantzler hit a pair of free throws for the Chargers with 15 seconds left to ice the win. The Chargers (15-7 overall) improve to 7-1 in the FVC Valley with a showdown against undefeated Huntley coming up on Saturday.

Could it have been possible that the Chargers were caught looking ahead to the Huntley contest? Not according to D-C coach Lance Huber.

“I don’t think that was the case at all,” said Huber. “I think it was more a case where Prairie Ridge played a real tough game. Their record is deceptive. They are just getting some guys back and getting it all together. They had a great game plan tonight and you know they are always going to be the type of team that no matter what their record is they are going to play hard the whole way.”

The Chargers turned the ball over nine times in the first half and fell behind 18-10 at one point. However, a late 8-0 run capped by a putback basket byDylan Kissack at the buzzer tied the game 18-18 at the break.

Brandon Rodriguez scored on the first possession of the second half to give the Chargers the lead for good. They never trailed again, but couldn’t get more than a five-point lead. The Wolves tied the game 39-39 with 2:15 left before the Chargers were finally able to close the deal.

Rodriguez finished with a team-high nine points and nine rebounds. Parson had just five points but played a had a big game in other ways with two of his baskets coming at the end of the first and third quarters.

“I thought he played an instrumental role for us,” said Huber. “Not only did he make those two big shots and that big pass at the end of the game on the go ahead basket, but he also did a lot of the ball-handling for us and hounded their ball handlers on the defensive end.”

D-C has already dropped a pair of games to Huntley this season, Including a conference game two weeks ago and a tournament game at the start of the season.

“The first couple times we got off to hot starts and then they put the clamps on us,” said Huber. “We are going to have to be more consistent the whole game this time around.”

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