BARTLETT — Down by eight points with eight minutes to play, Elgin Public-Pope John rallied to claim a 45 to 42 victory over Chambers/Wheeler Central in boys basketball action Tuesday night.
The Renegades jumped out to an eight point lead in the third quarter behind three-point baskets from Brenden Pelster and Schylar Franssen. The Renegades outscored the Wolfpack 12 to four.
Then things quickly changed. The Wolfpack’s pressure defense, at the start of the fourth quarter started to pay dividends in the form of turnovers. During a 2:12 second span, the Wolfpack outscored the Renegades 10 to 2 to tie the game at 38-all. Senior Ross Schindler had five points in the run, Nick Heithoff added a trey and Andrew Heithoff added a pair of free throws.
Trent Hoefer’s put-back of a missed shot gave the Wolfpack their first lead in a long time, 40 to 38, with three minutes remaining in the game.
After a basket by Steven Marcellu pulled the Renegades within one, CWC reclaimed the lead with under a minute to play on a basket by Franssen.
After a Wolfpack timeout, Trent Hoefer stepped to the forefront. Fouled underneath the basket, Hoefer calmly sank two free throws to give EPPJ a 43 to 42 lead with 14 seconds left. He then iced the game with two more free throws with five seconds left as the Wolfpack held on for the victory.
Hoefer led all scorers with 19 points. The Renegades were led by Mike Tomjack with 11 points.
Thursday action
Slowly, methodically, Clearwater/Orchard pulled away from the Wolfpack Thursday night to claim a 65 to 56 victory.
Playing in Clearwater, the Wolfpack battled the Cyclones point for point. Tied at 15-all after one quarter, the Cyclones outscored the Wolfpack by nine points the rest of the way. Doing the most damage for the Cyclones was Andy Kerkman with 19 points. He was one of four Cyclones in double figures scoring.
Nick Heithoff and Zach Polk each had 13 points to lead the Wolfpack.
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