Scots wrap up Skyway, on to Region semifinals
McHENRY COUNTY — A memorable season for McHenry County College’s men’s basketball team just keeps on going.
The Scots have locked up the Skyway Conference championship, with a 12-2 league record. After team leader Quinton McCullough garnered player-of-the-year honors and head coach Rashim Lettsome was named coach-of-the-year, it was time to seek Region IV playoff advancement.
The Scots, 23-8, were able to move on with a hard-fought 80-71 victory over Carl Sandburg at MCC’s gym in Crystal Lake Feb. 29. The squad advances to play Waubonsee (whom they beat for the league championship) March 3 at 2 p.m. in the semifinals at Rock Valley College in Rockford.
MCC’s Quinton McCullough poured in 33 points to lead the way in the playoff opener against Carl Sandburg. He came into the game averaging 14 points per contest and shooting over 55 % from the field and won the Skyway Conference’s top individual honor. He also came up big for MCC in the league title game at Waubonsee Feb. 24 as he scored 31 points in an 86-72 triumph.
“’Q’ is such a special player. He’s our leader and he came through for us. He’s a freight train when he gets going downhill. He knew exactly what he’s doing,” teammate AJ Lieuwen said.
Lieuwen also had clutch plays, as he came up big in the final seconds, with four free throws and a steal. Also pitching in down the stretch were James Muse, 12 points and Montreal McCullough finished with 10.
“It was an exciting win for our guys – they worked hard all year and fought through the challenges. Quinton was amazing. He’s earned it. He always plays hard,” Lettsome said.
“We had to lock it in, that’s our specialty,” Quinton McCullough said.
Quinton McCullough, who is from Harvey, recently spoke of life in junior college hoops.
“Junior college ball isn’t a walk-in-the-park. You have to go to class in the morning and put the work in,” Quinton McCullough said.
Dan Cruz of Huntley, an honorable mention all-league player, scored 10 points on three three-pointers and a key late-game free throw to hold off the Chargers on Thursday. Cruz averaged 9.4 points per game.
As a team, the squad plays at a highly intense pace, with an average of 82 points a game, 17 assists and 39 rebounds per contest.
The Scots have now won the Skyway Conference crown in two of Lettsome’s three seasons. Lettsome is a native of Waukegan who went on to play basketball and coach at Dominican University in River Forest as well as a semi-pro experience. He commented on the league coach of the year honor.
“It’s really a players’ honor, as they’re out there putting in the work,” Lettsome said. “We have great sophomores who established our culture.”
Before the playoff game, other all-league honors were announced for the Scots. Named to the second team was sophomore Montreal McCullough, Quinton’s cousin. Picked as honorable mentions were Dave Onyekonwu, a sophomore who shot better than 60% this season and freshman Lieuwen, who averaged 13 points per game.
