HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. –Mason Lockett scored the game-winning bucket with five seconds left to lead Oswego East to a 72-71 victory over Niles North for the fifth-place trophy at the 2025 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

Oswego East (11-3) led by as many as 15 points late in the third quarter before Niles North (11-4) mounted a rally. The Vikings pulled even at 58-58 with just over six minutes remaining in the contest. Oswego East went back up by five (70-65) with 45 seconds remaining, but Rayne Punzel connected on a three-pointer and was fouled in the process. Punzel hit the free throw to convert the four-point play and bring the Vikings to within a point with 36 seconds remaining. After a turnover by the Wolves, Punzel hit a driving layup with under 20 seconds to put the Vikings up 71-70. Lockett drove through the paint and scored the game-winning bucket with just under five seconds remaining to give the Wolves the one-point win.

Oswego East shot 60.4 percent (29-of-48) from the field, including 42.9 percent (3-of-7) from downtown. The Wolves dominated inside, outrebounding the Vikings 36-22 and outscoring the Vikings 50-28 in the paint.

Lockett led the way for Oswego East, finishing with a game-high 27 points while shooting 9-of-14 from the floor and adding seven rebounds and eight assists. Dshaun Bolden added a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Jacsen Tucker added eight points for the Wolves in the win.

Niles North shot 44.3 percent (27-of-61) from the field, including 34.5 percent (10-of-29) from downtown. Punzal led the charge for the Vikings, scoring 23 points while shooting 8-of-12 from the floor and dishing out six assists. Osman Khan added 15 points while Enzo D'Andrea added 13 points.