Clutch plays propel Red Raiders to sectional

HUNTLEY — Huntley boys basketball coach Will Benson joined the Huntley boys basketball celebration mode as soon as Noah Only secured a loose ball. The clock had just hit 0.00 and the Red Raiders secured a 49-48 win over the E-Rabs.

“I don’t think I’ve ever jumped that high as when Noah Only made the interception,” Benson said. “I think I’ll watch that play a lot.”

Dramatic plays executed in the closing minute sent the Red Raiders on to the Class 4A Rockford Jefferson sectional following a 49-48 thriller over Rockford East in the Hononegah Regional Final Feb. 25. Ian Ravagnie scored 20 points to lead HHS, 22-10, but was fouled out before Ty Goodrich’s baseline three-pointer gave the Huntley squad their final field goal with 1:25 left and a 47-45 lead. Two Omare Segarra free throws put the Red Raiders up by four.

The regional top-seed Red Raiders’ stop earned a return tip to the Rockford area, at the Rockford Jefferson sectional, Feb. 28 against St. Charles East.

The Huntley heroes were at the center of the celebration as players took turns wearing the Hononegah nets and displaying a new regional championship trophy.

“It feels so good after we lost to them last year,” Ravagnie said.

“I learned a lot from Bryce and Kendal and my dad, Tracy, who played sports,” Only said, His older siblings splayed college baseball and are now a member of the Northern Illinois University track and field

Omare Segarra, finished with five point the last two HHS points of the night for a 49-45 lead. He  summed up the final play well. “Coach said he could live with them beating us with a three but not a two.”

Goodrich, a senior,  came through in the clutch on offense on an assist from Ethan Blackmore.

“My teammates had all the trust in me,” Goodrich said.

Ravagnie’s three-point marksmanship led the Red Raiders to a 10-point lead, 15-5, early but the E-Rabs had gained a 29-29 halftime tie. Huntley regained a seven-point cushion early in the third quarter on a Ravagnie layup but East rallied again, for a final lead at 42-41 with two minutes left.

The final 10 seconds belonged to the defensive plan set up in the Huntley huddle.

“We were in a zone defense but they did not recognize it until it was too late,”  Benson said.

HHS topped Harlem

Ravagnie’s team-leading effort Saturday followed a 23-point showing in Huntley’s regional semifinal win over Machesney Park Harlem Feb. 23.