Red Raiders earn 2nd regional final clash with East

HUNTLEY — Huntley’s boys basketball team reached the regional final againam w against the same team as in 2022.

HHS played solid on both ends of the court in pulling away from Machesney Park Harlem to a 57-34 for a IHSA Regional Semifinal victory Feb. 23. Rockford East is up next for the Red Raiders at the Hononegah Regional final in Rockton at 7 p.m. Feb. 25.

Senior Ian Ravegenie scored 23 points to lead the Red Raiders. Junior Omare Segarra tallied nine points, Lucas Crosby added seven and Noah Only had six.

“The defense did a great job guarding Harlem’s actions,” HHS coach Will Benson said. “We really did a good job on their top three scorers. That was a team effort because multiple people guarded those guys. We did not press but guarded with a lot of discipline in the half court.”

Offensively, Huntley built a two-point lead to s 34-15 advantage early in the second half. “We did hit some threes, but we also got going in transition,” Benson said.

Rockford East preview

Rockford East and Huntley have experienced virtually the same season record-wise, as the E-Rabs are 22-10, winners of seven straight games and were tied for first in their NIC standings at 14-4. HHS is 22-10, and ended third in the Fox Valley Conference at 12-6.

East’s leaders are Matt Horade with 18 points per game average, 400 total points and Carl Harris, who shoots 60 % from the field, with 300 rebounds as well. Their three-point ace is senior Antonio Lewis, 40 % from behind the arc and almost 400 points.