HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Vincas Buzelis totaled a game-high double-double of 24 points and 14 rebounds to lead the host Red Devils past Maine South 61-51 and into the fifth-place contest at the 2023 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

Maine South (8-7) jumped out to an early nine-point lead and led 19-12 after the first quarter. Hinsdale Central (7-7) answered back in the second, outscoring Maine South 13-4 to take a 25-23 lead at the half. The third quarter featured four lead changes and three ties before the Red Devils carried a 48-43 lead into the final eight minutes. Maine South pulled even at 51-51 with 2:35 left to play in the contest, but Hinsdale Central finished the game on a 10-0 run to earn the 61-51 victory.

Buzelis powered Hinsdale Central with 24 points while shooting 9-of-13 from the floor. He added 14 rebounds and three assists in the win. Eric Kozys came off the bench to score 10 points for the Red Devils while Dillon Orozco added eight points off the bench. Hinsdale Central shot 44.4 percent (20-of-45) from the floor in the win.

Tommy Beredimas paced Maine South in the loss, finishing with 14 points and four rebounds. Panayiotis Sotos added 11 points while Ethan DeLaNavarre added 10 points. Maine South struggled from three-point range, hitting just 3-of-23 attempts (13.0 percent).

Hinsdale Central will take on Rockford Auburn in tomorrow’s fifth-place game at 3:45 p.m. Maine South will square off against Niles North in a consolation game tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.