Trojans gearing up to host Chicago Christian Friday in grand opening of new arena on campus.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
After a slow start, the Timothy Christian boys basketball team finished strong at the recent Lisle tournament.
The Trojans lost their opening game, but came back and won their final three contests to end with a 3-1 mark.
Timothy lost its opener to Westmont by a 54-51 count. The Trojans led 13-12 after the first quarter and 29-27 at halftime. Westmont outscored the Trojans 12-8 in the third and 15-14 in the fourth quarter.
Brandon Orange had a big game for the Trojans with 27 points. Michael Thomas added 10 points, while Justin Baez had six points. The Trojans shot 41 percent from the field and only 48 percent (10-for-21) from the foul line. Baez made two 3-pointers.
Orange also pulled down 15 rebounds. Thomas had six rebounds. Ty Merrick added five assists, while Baez and Orange each had three assists.
Timothy was a 74-35 winner over Yorkville Christian. The Trojans led 26-9 after the first quarter and 50-14 at halftime.
Thirteen Timothy players scored in the game. Matt Owens, Baez and Chris Brooks each had 11 points. Nick Huisman and Orange each had eight points. Timothy shot 52 percent from the field.
Owens and Baez each made three 3-pointers. Orange had eight rebounds, while Brooks, Owens, Nick Johnson and Thomas each had five rebounds. Owens, Orange and Thomas each had four assists, while Merrick and Brooks each had two steals.
Timothy then downed Evergreen Park 53-38. The Trojans turned a 15-12 first-quarter lead into a 33-16 halftime advantage.
Orange led the way with 21 points. Merrick had eight points, while Thomas had seven and Baez and Mike Martens each had six points. Timothy shot 37 percent from the field. Martens made two 3-pointers.
Huisman led the way with 13 rebounds, while Orange had 11 rebounds and Merrick pulled in seven. Orange had five assists.
Timothy concluded play with a 50-48 win over host Lisle. The Lions led 15-14 after the first quarter and 29-26 after two quarters. Timothy outscored Lisle 14-9 in the third quarter and played even with the hosts in the fourth quarter.
Owens led the Trojans with 13 points. Thomas had 10 points, while Merrick and Orange each had nine points. Huisman was tops in rebounding with nine. Merrick and Orange each had five rebounds. Merrick added seven assists, while Merrick and Baez each had two steals.
Timothy will host Chicago Christian Friday at 7:35 p.m., as part of the grand-opening celebration of the school’s competition arena on campus. The varsity girls play at 5 p.m.
Randy Huisman will sing the National Anthem prior to the girls’ game. The Jessie White Tumblers then perform at 6:25, ahead of Chicago Blackhawks National Anthem singer Jim Cornelison at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets to the game are $5 and Timothy officials are hoping for a crowd of more than 1,000.
