Boys Basketball: Jordan Perrin comes through in clutch for Evanston

Updated: December 3, 2011 11:02PM

After nine minutes of action on Saturday night, unbeaten Evanston had one Josh Irving jump shot to its credit in its home game against CSL South foe Maine South.

And the Hawks took advantage of the Wildkits’ offensive struggles. Maine South held a six-point lead well into the third quarter.

On a steal and layup from senior Jordan Perrin, Evanston (7-0) finally wrestled the lead away from Maine South. Leonard Garron’s layup on a pass from Perrin proved to be the difference in the 36-35 win.

Perrin scored a team-high 12 points for Evanston.

“We didn’t let our offensive struggles to get to us,’’ Evanston coach Mike Ellis said. “I told our guys that I didn’t feel undefeated after this game. We need to learn from our wins.”

Even if the score didn’t break into the 40s, this game still had a delightful finish. Two Frank Dounis free throws gave the Hawks (4-2) a 35-33 lead with under three minutes to play. The Hawks then clung to a one-point lead with 30 seconds left.

“That was a heck of game,’’ Maine South coach Tony Lavorato said. “That’s a good CSL game. A solid grind it out game.”

With six seconds to play, South guard Nick Calabrese’s shot at a game-winner did everything but go into the net. It somehow escaped.

“That was a heck of a shot,’’ Lavorato said. “The basketball gods were in another gym.”

While the Evanston offense stalled, the Hawks managed to hang on to the lead for more than 25 minutes. Andrew Vey had the game’s first five points, including a three-pointer. South led 7-2 after one quarter and 17-13 at halftime. On a three-pointer from Calabrese the Hawks led 31-28 heading to the final quarter.

The Wildkits finally discovered their offense in the third quarter. Brian Bertsche’s three-pointer ignited the rally. And then Irving, nursing a sore ankle, took over the game. He hit back-to-back three-pointers.

His personal seven-point run pulled the Wildcats within 31-28. And then he limped to the bench.

“He’s one of our two point guards,’’ Ellis said. “We rely on him.”

Ellis also found time to compliment the visiting Hawks.

“Maine South is pretty good,’’ he said. “They had a lead the whole game. They played a match-up zone. They played a box-and-one. But we were prepared for it.”

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