Joliet Catholic turns back Nazareth

Updated: March 28, 2011 12:28PM

This wasn't any ordinary victory for Joliet Catholic.

Friday's East Suburban Catholic Conference home win over Nazareth Academy brought back memories of late coach Jeremy Izzo.

On ‘Turn Back the Clock Night' when the Hilltoppers donned uniforms from the past and played in the old gym, they claimed one of their biggest wins.

Joliet Catholic led by as many as 19 points before settling for a 55-43 win over the Roadrunners, who won the teams' December 3 meeting by a 65-42 margin.

The special throw-back night was Izzo's idea and he wanted to turn back the page against his alma mater, Nazareth.

"This win was for coach Izzo," said Joliet Catholic senior Chris Harris, who scored 12 points. "He was a big inspiration to us.

"He's looking down and he's really proud of us. Throw-back night with the old jerseys. I'm betting he's loving this in heaven."

The Hilltoppers (9-11, 2-7) completely dominated the final three quarters of Friday's game with the Roadrunners (15-6, 5-4).

Joliet Catholic closed out the second period with a 10-0 run to move in front for good after claiming a 24-17 halftime advantage.

Brequan Tucker scored five of his game-high 19 points during that run while Breshion Tucker added four of his 15 points.

In the third quarter, Joliet Catholic scored the first six points before Nazareth's Ryan Powers (14 points, 14 rebounds) hit a layup.

Two three-pointers from Breshion Tucker and a layup from Harris pushed the Hilltoppers' lead to 38-19 late in the third.

Nazareth closed to within 40-33 following an old-fashioned three-point play from Matt Behrendt (13 points) with 5:54 left.

But Brequan Tucker responded with a pair of three-pointers and the Roadrunners never got closer than 10 points.

"I'm very happy for our kids since that was a huge win for them," Joliet Catholic coach Jeff Budz said. "Our kids really stepped it up.

"The guys really wanted to get this for coach Izzo. This was a big game for him and the kids still have coach Izzo in their hearts."

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