Boys Basketball: Simelton Helps Panthers Hold Off Plainfield North

The Hot Read: The host Tigers, still without injured star Jack Krieger, battled Oswego hard but couldn’t overcome the Panthers’ big trio of Ryan West, Miles Simelton and Elliot McGaughy, who combined for 62 points.

Oswego jumped ahead 27-18 as McGaughy exploded for 13 points in the first quarter and the Panthers led by double digits for much of the night. But the Tigers, who took to the floor with a six-game losing streak, fought back to within 66-62 following a basket inside by Jake Ready with three minutes to play. Simelton then hit a clutch shot on his way to six fourth-quarter points and the visitors made just enough free throws down the stretch to avoid the upset.

Patch’s MVP: Oswego’s Miles Simelton (18 points, two rebounds, two steals, two assists). Simelton seemed to score at just the right time in the second half to keep Plainfield North from drawing too close, including throwing in a short floater for a 70-63 lead with two minutes left.

Key Stats: Panthers made 10 of 16 shots while tallying 27 points through eight minutes and finished the first half a hot 15-for-24 from the floor. Despite Oswego missing 13 attempts, the difference came down to the foul line, where the Panthers made 24 free throws while the Tigers were 13-for-17.

Turnovers played a role in the Panthers’ strong start as Plainfield North had five giveaways in the opening stanza and nine for the half, while Oswego had no turnovers in the first quarter and just four at intermission.

Oswego Leaders: Elliot McGaughy (24 points, seven rebounds, two steals). Ryan West (20 points, four rebounds, two steals). Miles Simelton (18 points, two rebounds, two steals, two assists).  Jamaal Richardson (seven points, all in the second half).

Plainfield North Leaders: Marcus Fair (18 points). Jake Ready (11 points, eight rebounds). Kurt Palandech (13 points, seven rebounds), Jeremy Bert (12 points, 8-for-8 free-throw shooting).

Quotable I:  Panthers coach Kevin Schnable on his team’s large number of dogfights in the Southwest Prairie Conference: “I’ve always said conference games are harder to win. With this year that statement is multiplied. It’s a fight.”

Quotable II: Tigers coach Nick DiForti on his team’s strong efforts despite a recent skid that reached seven games Friday: “If the team plays the way they have been and Jack [Krieger] comes back, I think we can do some damage. I’m very proud of how the kids have played. I can’t doubt their hearts.”

Team Records: Oswego, 16-7, 9-3 in Southwest Prairie Conference. Plainfield North, 13-12, 3-8 in SWPC.

What’s Next: Oswego is home Tuesday night for a non-conference game with Joliet West before closing on its SWPC slate with a game at Romeoville next Friday and a key home contest with Plainfield South the following week. The Tigers play at Romeoville on Tuesday night and return home for a contest with rival Plainfield Central next Friday.