Cheng scores 26 points in game against Manteno.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The IC Catholic Prep boys basketball team kicked off the season by going 3-1 and taking third-place at the Manteno/Coal City tournament.
The Knights opened play with a 59-43 win over Peotone. IC Catholic Prep led 14-10 after the first quarter and 30-24 at halftime. The Knights outscored Peotone 12-7 in the third quarter and 17-12 in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Cheng led the Knights with 23 points, including three 3-pointers. Nico Gaudio added 13 points, while Alex Meurer had 12 points (one 3-pointer).
IC Catholic Prep then lost 65-60 to Manteno in overtime. The Knights led 10-7 after the first quarter and 24-20 at halftime. IC Catholic Prep extended the lead to 39-33 after three quarters, but Manteno outscored IC Catholic Prep 32-20 in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Cheng had another strong game for the Knights, exploding for 26 points (three 3-pointers). He made 12 of 15 free-throw attempts. Meurer had 16 points and hit two 3-pointers. Dominic Gaudio also hit a 3-pointer.
The Knights rebounded to record a 40-15 win against Beecher. The Knights led 11-3 after the first quarter and 20-6 at halftime. IC Catholic Prep iced it in the third quarter by outscoring Beecher 20-7. The two teams combined for one basket in the fourth quarter.
Cheng led the Knights with 13 points, including two 3-pointers. Nico Gaudio added 10 points, while Meurer had seven points (one 3-pointer). Dominic Gaudio had five points, including one 3-pointer.
The Knights put a wrap on the tournament with a 59-46 win against Serena. IC Catholic Prep was hard-charging out of the gates, outscoring Serena 26-14 in the first quarter. The Knights led 33-22 at halftime.
Nico Gaudio led the Knights with 19 points. Ryan Wojtalewicz added 12 points. Cheng finished with 10 points and Meurer had nine points (one 3-pointer).
The Knights returned to action earlier this week against Lisle and will play next Tuesday Dec. 5 at Riverside-Brookfield to open Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division action.
