HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. –Mason Lockett poured in 23 points to help Oswego East edge Maine South and earn a spot in the fifth-place game of the 2025 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

The back-and-forth contest featured seven ties and eight lead changes. Maine South (5-7) led 32-27 at the half and built an early 10-point lead in the third quarter, but Oswego East (10-2) answered back surging in front early in the fourth quarter. With the score even at 53-53 with just over a minute to play, Lockett broke the tie with a driving layup, giving Oswego East a 55-53 lead. The Wolves hit three free throws over the next 30 seconds to push their lead to five points, but a Panayiotis Sotos three-pointer with 18 seconds left pulled Maine South to within two at 58-56. After a turnover by the Wolves, Maine South had a chance to win the contest, but Sotos' three-pointer bounced out. Oswego East hit two free throws with less than a second to earn the four-point victory.

Oswego East shot 42.9 percent (21-of-49) from the floor in the win and outrebounded Maine South 35-24. The Wolves also outscored the Hawks 34-16 in the paint. Locket led the way for the Wolves with a team-leading 23 points, shooting 8-of-21 from the floor while also collecting seven rebounds and dishing out five assists. Dshaun Bolden added 18 points and six rebounds for the Wolves.

Maine South shot 46.7 percent from the floor, including 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from three-point range. Sotos scored a game-high 25 points to pace the Hawks in the loss. Sotos eclipsed the 1,000 point mark for his career in the first half. Marco Urso added nine points for the Hawks.

Oswego East will face Niles North in tomorrow's fifth-place game at 5:15 pm. Maine South will take on Burlington Central tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.