Boys Basketball: York eventually takes down Maine South in 2OT

Updated: January 9, 2012 10:03PM

York let a double-digit lead get away in the second half but overcame two deficits in the second overtime to earn a 55-53 win over Maine South in Park Ridge in the opening game of Galesburg’s MLK tournament.

It was hard work for a Monday victory, but it was worth it for Jake Rzeszutko, who scored the game-winning basket with three seconds to play.

“Very crazy game,” the senior said.

After John Solari gave the Hawks a 53-52 edge with 11 seconds remaining, the Dukes called timeout to set up the play. Rzeszutko curled off a screen and found himself open for the go-ahead three-pointer.

The Hawks couldn’t get a shot off before the buzzer.

“The team gives me confidence,” said Rzeszutko, who hit two threes in the the second OT and scored a team-high 24 points. “I wouldn’t be able to get these shots if it wasn’t for them.”

York (8-7) looked like it had the game won several stops along the way. The Dukes were up 12 early in the second half and led by four in the first overtime.

But the Hawks (7-8) were hard to put away.

John Solari headlined the comeback effort. The 6-foot-4 junior scored two baskets during a 9-0 run to end the third quarter and added 11 points in the fourth. He then scored six points in the two overtimes, but it wasn’t enough.

Solari finished with a game-best 26 points.

Maine South made it challenging on itself.

Tied 16-all after one quarter, the Hawks went without a field goal in the second quarter and were down 28-18 at intermission.

When Solari scored midway through the third quarter to start the comeback, it was Maine South’s first basket in nearly 15 minutes.

One game after scoring a career-high 31, David Cohn contributed 16 in Monday’s win. Matt DiFrancesca added 11 points.

Andrew Vey had 10 in the loss.

York is off until it travels to Galesburg on Saturday for the remainder of the tournament. Meanwhile, Maine South travels to New Trier on Thursday for a CSL South contest before hitting the road.

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