Dec. 30--Maine South succeeded in keeping the pace to its liking in Tuesday night's semifinal against Encino (Calif.) Crespi Carmelite at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.
The No. 19 Hawks' sluggish start was too much to overcome, however, as they dropped a 45-37 decision to the Celts, California's defending Division IV state champions. Maine South scored two points in the first quarter and seven in the second but trailed only 16-9 at halftime.
"We fought hard until the last second and we were well prepared for them wanting to push the ball up the floor," Maine South senior Jon Arenas said. "Nine points in a half isn't what we strive for, so we weren't too pleased with that."
The Hawks (10-2) shot 3-for-20 in the first half. Shots fell more readily in the second, but each time Maine South crept closer, Crespi (13-1) answered.
A series of back cuts against the Celts' man-to-man defense helped the Hawks get going, as did 6-foot-11 center Brad Perry asserting himself.
A Perry putback pulled Maine South within 28-23 late in the third quarter, but consecutive 3-pointers by Crespi's Billy Oxley and Brandon Williams reinstated their team's double-digit lead by the end of the period.
An Arenas basket got the Hawks within 41-34 with 2 minutes, 15 seconds to play, but a Williams basket and two Tai Regans free throws kept Maine South at bay.
"Our motto is to always play 32 minutes and we felt like jumping ahead was important tonight," said Williams, who led all players with 16 points. "They came back on us a couple of times but we just had to keep calm and not panic."
Maine South will play Stevenson in Wednesday's 7 p.m. third-place game.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Brandon Williams, Crespi, 16 points, 8 rebounds.
Key performers: Crespi -- Billy Oxley, 13 points. Maine South -- Jon Arenas, 14 points; Brad Perry, 9 points, 13 rebounds.
