Boys Basketball: Dundee-Crown closes out Prairie Ridge

Updated: January 10, 2012 9:51PM

Dundee-Crown is fortunate the high school basketball game is 32 minutes long. The Chargers struggled in the first half, but were able to pull away late to earn a 51-40 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division victory Tuesday at Prairie Ridge.

The Wolves slow tempo offense is tough to prepare for and play against, but Dundee-Crown knew this coming in.

“Prairie Ridge is a very tough team to prepare for and to play against,” said Chargers coach Lance Huber. “Corky (Card) is such a great coach and he always has his team ready to play.”

Prairie Ridge (4-11, 0-2) controlled the tempo in the first half, and looked like they were going to hold the lead at the break until the Chargers (9-6, 2-0) Brandon Rodriguez hit a three pointer at the buzzer from just inside half court. Rodriguez’s shot seemed to ignite the Chargers.

“That shot was huge for our team,” said Rodriguez. “I grabbed the ball looked at the clock and let it fly, and was fortunate that it went in.”

The second half was all Dundee-Crown. The hot shooting of Rodriguez and Dylan Kissack helped the Chargers pull away in the third quarter.

“Brandon (Rodriguez) and I shot very well tonight,” said Kissack. “Usually one of us gets hot during the game and tonight we were fortunate that both of us shot well.”

Rodriguez led Dundee-Crown with a game high 19 points. Kissack added 15 for the Chargers.

Prairie Ridge played well in the first half Tuesday, but couldn’t keep up with the Chargers hot shooting in the second half.

“Dundee-Crown ran their offense very well which resulted in open shots,” said Prairie Ridge coach Corky Card. “When good teams are able to run their offense they usually win the game. They (Dundee-Crown) played better than us on both sides of the ball and won the game.”

The Wolves were led by Luke Keller with 13 points.

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