Boys Basketball | Freshman guard Jennings lifts Richards at Hinsdale Central Classic
By Steve Millar
Correspondent
Coming off a tough loss to open its slate at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic, Richards got a welcome boost from its youngest player.
Freshman guard Marcus Jennings, playing in just his third varsity game, led the Bulldogs with 17 points in a 65-58 win over Morton.
Senior guard Eddie Hrebic added 10 points, senior forward Samuel Cain had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and junior guard Camren King added 10 points.
Richards coach Kyle Rathbun has been pleased with what he has seen from Jennings, who had played only junior varsity games prior to the tournament.
“We liked how his game progressed, so we wanted to see him at the varsity level,” Rathbun said. “He has played excellent for us.”
The Bulldogs fell just short of a couple more victories.
In the opening-round game against Morgan Park, Richards — paced by 18 points from King — led in the final seconds before Randy Walls’ putback at the buzzer gave Morgan Park a 49-48 win.
“We haven’t rebounded very well,” Rathbun said. “We’ve given up a lot of offensive rebounds in the tournament. We’re playing hard. If we can do the little things like that well, we can have success.”
The win over Morton put Richards into the consolation semifinals against Lincoln-Way Central. The Bulldogs led by nine points in the third quarter but let it slip away in a 58-49 loss to the Knights.
A 71-52 defeat to St. Charles East wrapped up the event for Richards.
For the tournament, King led the way, averaging 11 points and 4.3 rebounds. Hrebic averaged 9.5 points per game, Jennings scored 7.8 points a game and senior guard La’Terion Colbert averaged six points.
As a positive heading into 2023, Rathbun sees the Bulldogs developing some depth.
“We’re really pleased with our young kids,” Rathbun said. “Camren King has been great. Marcus Jennings is only a freshman who has played excellent.
“Some guys who maybe didn’t get minutes early in the season have stepped up and played well, like La’Terion Colbert. Nik Dixon played really well against Morton.”
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