Boys Basketball: St. Rita trims St. Ignatius

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St. Rita's Charles Matthews shoots a three over Jack Crepeau, of St. Ignatius. | Patrick Gleason~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 10, 2012 8:31AM

St. Rita senior Tony Hicks continued his splendid senior season Friday, scoring 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half as the Mustangs picked up the tempo to knock off visiting St. Ignatius 50-42.

“There was no way we should have had 15 points in the first half,” Hicks said. “We had to go up-tempo and make them run more.”

That’s just what St. Rita (7-5, 4-0 Catholic North) did in the third quarter, forcing the Wolfpack into 10 turnovers and closing the third with an 11-0 run to lead 32-24. St. Ignatius committed 18 turnovers in the game.

“I thought we had to speed them up,” St. Rita coach Gary DeCesare said. “We made them play a little faster in the second half and that was the key.”

A three from Brian Howard and two free throws from Marty McClure pulled St. Ignatius to within 42-39 with 1:23 to play, but consecutive baskets from Hicks ended the threat.

Hicks has been one of the area’s most consistent scorers. The 6-foot-2 senior was 9-for-16 from the field Friday.

The Mustangs’ Dominique Matthews missed the first month of the season with a wrist injury, but returned to play in New York over the holidays. He injured his ankle Tuesday and did not play against St. Ignatius. He’s expected back next week. The Mustangs other injured starter, AJ Avery, will visit the doctor next week and get a return date.

“We have to be able to play with whoever is out there,” Hicks said. “There have been a lot of distractions: academics, injuries. We just have to focus.”

Vic Law scored 11 and grabbed eight rebounds and Charles Matthews finished with eight points for St. Rita.

Brian Howard led St. Ignatius (11-2, 3-1) with 12 points. Peter Ryckbosch contributed 11 points and nine rebounds and Marty McClure added 10 points and six rebounds.