Boys Basketball: Rich South’s Ruffin puts the hurt on Joliet Central

Updated: December 26, 2011 9:32PM

Playing in front of his home crowd, John Ruffin was prepared to do anything necessary to carry his team.

The 6-5 senior center scored nine of his 14 points in the fourth quarter to propel the host Stars to the 56-53 victory over Joliet Central in first-round play of the 39th McDipper Tournament Monday in Richton Park Monday.

“This is my last year and there was no way I was going to take the [loss] in this one,” said Ruffin, who also pulled down seven of his game-high 12 rebounds during the decisive fourth quarter.

Rich South (11-3) trailed 41-39 to start the final quarter when Ruffin took control.

With the game knotted at 45 midway through the fourth quarter, Ruffin scored on consecutive rebound baskets that initiated a 10-0 Rich South run. “I was just looking to take it up strong and I wasn’t worried about drawing fouls,” he said.

Joliet Central’s Jalen Heath (14 points) drilled two three-pointers that pulled the Steelmen (5-4) within 53-51 with just under a minute to play. Jonah Coble and Curtis Parker came up short on game-tying three point attempts.

Rich South survived despite shooting just 10-22 at the free throw line. Senior guard Ralph Abraham scored 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half, helping the Stars to a 29-27 lead at the break. Senior forward Cedric Russell added eight points and six rebounds.

Coble hit two three-pointers in scoring a team-best 16 points for the Steelmen. Parker added 10 points and five rebounds.

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