On Jan. 17, the basketball team faced off against the Joliet Catholic Hilltoppers. Going into the game, the Lions were 3-0 in the conference but they knew this game was not going to be an easy game.
After the first quarter, the Lions were down 6-9. Points scored by Dawson Charles, Jacob Only and Landon Ray kept them in the game. During the second quarter, the Lions were staying with them in a close game. Going into the half, the score was 20-16 Hilltoppers. Both teams were going neck and neck in a close-scoring game, with great defense being played on both sides.
During the third quarter, the story of the game stayed the same. The Hilltoppers were still up, but this time it was only by two. The score was 29-27, and the game was going to come down to who played the better defense. Senior Henry Marshall was scoring points for the Lions offense, while freshmen Jacob Only and Landon Ray were giving the Lions great defensive minutes.
In the fourth quarter, the Lions started to pull away with the game. Eight quick points to start the fourth quarter by Henry Marshall was the boost the Lions needed to stop the Hilltoppers. They went on to win the game 46-42 in a well-fought conference battle. The Lions moved up to 4-0 in the conference.
“The key to winning the game was moving the ball around,” said freshman Landon Ray. “They were playing zone so we had to stop being selfish and get open shots.”
At senior night, the Lions were triumphant against Harvest Christian Academy.