Boys Basketball: Minooka turns up heat,handles Romeoville

Some coaches believe the third quarter is the most critical.

It proved to be during Minooka’s 65-44 win Friday at Romeoville on the opening night of play in the Southwest Prairie Conference.

Minooka (4-1) outscored Romeoville (1-3) 20-5 in the decisive third quarter to win its fourth straight game since opening the season with a loss to Metamora.

“I feel like we’re starting to become a real solid basketball team,” Minooka coach Scott Tanaka said. “We’re on a four-game win streak, (and) the kids are believing and working hard in the gym every day.”

The Spartans made just one field goal in the third quarter and had more fouls (six) than points (five) in the period.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed with some of the things we did offensively against their pressure,” Romeoville coach Jeff Bambule said. “But, at the same time, you have to give them credit. They are pretty good.”

Romeoville pulled to within 24-21 at the intermission when Nate Washington (20 points) nailed his second three-pointer of the second quarter.

The third quarter belonged to the Indians.

Adam Reynolds’ layup gave the visitors a 28-21 lead with 6:20 left in the third. Near the end of the quarter, Jake Hogen’s two free throws gave Minooka a 44-25 lead heading into the fourth.

“We had way too many turnovers in the first half and didn’t handle their pressure well,” Reynolds said. “We held on to the ball and got some easy buckets in the second half.”

Adam Reynolds led the Indians with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Heide chipped in 14 points and Hogen had 13, including 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.

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