Hales, Seton, Lincoln Park
win Big Dipper openers
By Drake Skleba
No. 5 Hales Franciscan had a dominating performance; defending Class 2A champion Seton Academy overcame a 15-point halftime hole; Lincoln Park got some divine help from Gabriel.
Hales doubles Rich Central
The No. 5-ranked Spartans crushed Rich Central (8-2) 86-40 in their opener Saturday at Rich South.
Senior G Patrick Miller scored 24 to pace the 9-1 Hales.
Hales Franciscan scored 29 points in the first quarter and led 55-21 at the half.
Hales will meet Bolingbrook (7-2) in the Big Dipper quarterfinals Monday.
Seton Academy rally bests Tinley Park
The defending Class 2A champions rallied behind the huge effort of 6-foot-8 senior C Chris Olivier, who scored 26 points and hauled in 15 rebounds. The Sting overcame a 42-27 halftime disadvantage to defeat Tinley Park (5-5) 67-62.
Olivier added six blocked shots to his dominating performance.
Seton Academy (3-4) will meet No. 11 Thornton (7-2) Monday.
Lincoln Park edges Richards
On the day after Christmas Lincoln Park received a little help from Gabriel, Mike Gabriel that is. The 6-foot-7 Lion C's tip-in basket was the difference in the Lions 57-56 victory over Richards (8-2).
Gabriel (nine points, eight rebounds) tapped in senior G Greg Tucker's (18 points) miss with five seconds to go in the game.
Lincoln Park (7-2) will meet the No. 9-ranked hosts Rich South (10-1) at 8:30 p.m. Monday.
