Red Raiders’ plan finalizes rally in thriller

HUNTLEY — The game plan that Huntley head basketball coach Will Benson drew up in a final minute timeout could not have worked out better in a thrilling 51-50 victory over Dundee-Crown.

The Red Raiders executed at both ends of the court to improve to 7-1 Fox Valley Conference.

Huntley trailed by four points, 50-46, with 45 seconds left, Ian Ravagnie, who scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth stanza, made a three-pointer from a corner for a one-point deficit. HHS regained possession and with 19 seconds to go. Ravagnie, made a shot from the baseline for the lead which held up. Guards Lucas Crosby and Omare Segarra (nine points) provided the key assists. Defensively the Red Raiders’ pressing defense held the Chargers to no field goals in the final 2:30.

“Normally I’m a driver-type player, but I have trust in the shooters, too,” Segarra said. Noah Only finished with 12 points and helped keep Huntley close in the first half when the team once trailed by 11 points.

The win helped avenge a 61-51 loss to Burlington Central just two nights earlier which was for the FVC lead.

“We did what we had to do; we came in with a chip on our shoulders,” Ravagnie said.

“He used a shot fake and got by the defender,” Benson said of the game winner. “I’m proud of Ian. A lot of guys would have tried a three-point shot. Segarra had a nice pass to him.”

Benson mentioned HHS had not experienced a close thriller such as a one-point win. “We just kept our poise,” he said.

Walker returns

Last week marked the return of Bryce Walker for Huntley. Walker suffered a leg injury during football season and scored a field goal.

Special night

Friday was the school’s Red Raider Nation led Toss a Duck event to raise funds to help the families of Lucas Gidelski and Madison Roberts. The ninth graders are battling cancers.

Yorkville game

The Red Raiders fell to Yorkville, 45-39, at the Geneva MLK contest Jan. 16. Yorkville improved to 18-3 and won its eighth straight while HHS stood at 13-5.