Jonah Ross got here near setting Evanston’s college record for 3-level baskets Tuesday evening.
But a swollen knee trumped a sizzling hand at Beardsley Gymnasium.
The Evanston senior guard fired in seven straight three-level photographs within the first half of a 92-28 slaughter of Lake View on his option to a profession-excessive 26 factors. But he solely performed about 30 seconds within the second half of a rout the place 13 totally different gamers scored for the winners.
It was a mutual determination between Ross and the ETHS teaching employees after the guard injured his knee in a loss at Glenbrook South final week. And the chance-reward selection was an apparent one with a giant sport towards Central Suburban League South division co-chief Glenbrook North on faucet Friday evening for the Wildkits.
Ross was able to problem the varsity’s single sport record of 9 buckets from past the three-level arc, a record set by Scott Horne towards Niles West again in 2001 and matched by the varsity’s profession chief, Blake Peters, in 2019 towards Maine South. He did begin the second half, however exited after the primary ETHS possession and didn’t return to the ground once more after the hosts constructed a 56-19 halftime lead.
“I didn’t even know what the record was until the coaches told me at halftime,” stated Ross, who additionally sank seven three-pointers earlier this yr in video games versus St. Viator and Dubuque Hempstead. “I solely wanted three extra, and completely, I knew I may get it. But my knee continues to be swollen — I’m solely about 90 % (bodily) proper now — and I instructed them they need to give everybody else a chance, as a result of they work laborious and so they should play.
“I just love shooting in Beardsley Gym. I work out here every morning. When you get it going like I did tonight, the basket seems really big. It’s a good feeling when you get it going like that.”
Against a Chicago Public Schools squad that consisted largely of freshmen and sophomores, Evanston shot 65 % (37-of-57) from the sphere and counted 29 assists on these 37 baskets whereas enhancing to 16-6 on the season.
The 92 factors marked a season excessive for the winners, though nobody apart from Ross scored in double figures within the operating clock (no) contest. Lake View fell to 6-16 general.
Evanston head coach Mike Ellis was conscious that Ross was chasing the record, however he additionally didn’t wish to threat the senior’s well being for the stretch run of the season.
“Jonah wasn’t 100 percent and it wasn’t worth going for that three-point record tonight,” stated Ellis. “I really feel dangerous for him that he’s nonetheless coping with that tender knee. But I’ve by no means been one to artificially put gamers in place to interrupt college data.
“We’ve been fortunate to coach some good three-point shooters here. We tell them when they have the confidence, and they have the statistics to back it up, that sometimes a three-pointer IS a layup for them. That’s a high percentage shot for shooters like that.”
Ross linked on seven straight photographs from totally different spots on the ground, and his confidence appeared to develop with every try. He could possibly be detected feeling for the three-level line and backing up on a few of these makes an attempt, the telltale signal {that a} 3-level shooter is within the zone.
He additionally contributed a group-excessive 5 rebounds, three steals and three assists in considered one of his finest all-round performances of the season.
Next finest for the Wildkits have been Malachi Barrett and Theo Rocca, every with 9 factors, and Jonathan Maerklin, Morgan Brown and Josh Thomas with eight factors apiece. Hunter Duncan chalked up seven assists in simply 14 minutes of enjoying time.
Rocca, fellow sophomore Ian Peters and Maerklin all earned their first varsity begins for the lopsided matchup. Rocca tossed in a pair of three-level photographs of his personal within the first quarter, serving to the Wildkits bury the Wildcats by a 24-Eight margin after the primary quarter.
Lake View dedicated 20 turnovers and was led by Ayden Reed with 12 factors.