Dec. 12--Thornton's Patrick Rucker was so amped for Friday's game with Bradley-Bourbonnais that he had trouble sleeping Thursday night.
There were no sign of cobwebs Friday for the senior sharpshooter, whose six 3-pointers and game-high 22 points fueled the host Wildcats' 58-44 Southwest Suburban Red win in Harvey.
"I was so focused for this game," said Rucker, who also grabbed 10 rebounds. "I knew when my first shot went in, I would have a great game."
Rucker wasn't the only one firing from distance. The Wildcats (4-1, 2-0) hoisted 36 3-pointers, connecting on 12. They attempted only 17 shots from inside the arc, making seven.
All six of Rucker's 3s came in the first half, when 22 of Thornton's 27 shots came from behind the arc. Curtis Dilworth and Christian Anderson made three 3s apiece, with all three of Dilworth's in the second half.
The green light from the perimeter resulted largely from a few soft spots in Bradley's 3-2 zone.
"As long as they're open, and they come in the flow of the offense, I'm not going to tell the guys to pass them up," first-year Thornton coach Tai Streets said. "We can shoot the ball. Our guys work hard at it, so if it's open and part of our offense, let's do it."
Thornton never trailed. Rucker's five 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes helped build a 27-13 lead. The Boilermakers (4-2, 0-2) closed the half on a 13-3 run to trail only 30-26. Bradley hung tough in the third, trailing 41-36 heading into the fourth.
The Boilers never got closer, and the Wildcats' three guards were able to run time off the clock late and made 5 of 7 free throws in the final two minutes.
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Patrick Rucker, Thornton, 22 points, 10 rebounds.
Key performers: Thornton -- Curtis Dilworth, 14 points. Bradley-Bourbonnais -- Zach Hollywood, 12 points, 10 rebounds; Micah Bradford, 11 points, 7 rebounds.
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