By Bill Stone | SPORTS WRITER

Chris Chana should have been playing, but he had a great seat to witness one of the Hinsdale Central boys basketball team's most dramatic comebacks Saturday.

After spraining his left ankle at the start of the fourth quarter, the senior standout sat with his foot elevated at the end of the bench along the baseline of the Red Devils' basket. That's where junior Clay Foster turned a rebound battle into a game-winning, three-point play with 1.3 seconds left that gave the Red Devils an exhilarating 49-48 victory over Thornton Fractional North and the Downers Grove South Tournament title with a 3-0 round-robin record.

"We just find a way to win. I don't know how we do it. We've got a great group of guys and I'm in heaven right now after that win," Chana said. "(My ankle) just hurts, but I'm still trying to get over that win that we just pulled off. It just really shows the chemistry this team has. I wanted to help all that I could, but it was just awesome to see the team pull it out."

T.F. North (1-2) took a 48-46 lead on a three-point play by Marcus Delaney with 25.8 seconds left and stole the ball back but missed the layup. The Red Devils' Abe Saleh, who nailed a clutch three-pointer with 1:28 left, tried unsuccessfully to draw a foul as he double pumped on another trey, but Foster came up with the rebound.

Foster made the free throw after the Meteors used their three timeouts consecutively. The Red Devils' John Whitelaw then stole a baseball-style inbounds pass to seal the victory.

"The ball just came my way. I grabbed it and just put it back up. A little bit of luck, and it came our way, I guess," Foster said. "It's big how everyone comes together, sticks together and pulls out the win for each other. Chris is a key player to our success, but everyone knew they had to contribute and just pick up what he brings to the team."

Chana (51 tourney points) and Foster (34 points) were named to the six-player all-tournament team. Both players had 14 points Saturday with Foster scoring 10 of his in the second half.

Things looked grim when Chana, the only returning starter from last season's sectional semifinalist, went down with 7:27 left and the Red Devils trailing 42-35. But the Red Devils outscored the Meteors 16-6 in the quarter behind Saleh (7 points) and Foster (5 points). Rich Brennan gave the Red Devils a 46-45 lead on a layup with 45 seconds left after picking up a loose ball caused by Whitelaw.

"There were times where I think we easily could have looked up at the scoreboard or not gotten a call here or there and just packed it in. And I think our kids, to their credit, kept their composure and wits about them and kept plugging away," Hinsdale Central coach Ed Lynch said. "That's a big blow. Your senior captain (Chana), the only returning starter, goes down in the fourth quarter and we were down seven. It was good to see some other guys step up and say, 'We've got a job to do and we still need to try and win this game for Chris,' more or less."

If that wasn't enough, the young Red Devils also rallied to beat Downers South 58-52 Friday after trailing 27-18 at halftime. Lynch used three different starting lineups, and all 14 players saw action in the season-opening 68-43 victory over Larkin Nov. 21.

Chana scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half against Downers South, including a 14-point fourth quarter in which he made 10 of 11 free throws, and Brennan added 13 points, 10 in the second half. The Red Devils made 24 of 31 free throws compared with 4 of 8 by the Mustangs (2-1).

"We had probably one of the worst halves of basketball I think I've seen any high-school team play. (Then) we played a great second half and won by six. Two great wins, just to find a way to gut it out and not quit and keep battling," Lynch said. "There's no question it's nice to win three games and build a little momentum and confidence in a team that's obviously lacking in experience. (But) we really need to improve because when we get into conference, the level of play is going to really rise."

Chana hopes he can be healthy for the Red Devils' key West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at rival Lyons Township (3-0).

"I'd love to play against LT. It's a big rivalry and I've got a lot of friends on their team," Chana said. "If I can go, it's awesome. And if I can't, I know we'll be awesome anyway."

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November 22, 2007
• COACH: Ed Lynch (36-21 in 2 seasons)

• 2006-07 RESULTS: 19-9 overall, 7-5 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division (3rd); lost to Neuqua Valley 70-61 in Lockport Sectional semifinals

• OPENING TIP: There is one word that Lynch refuses to use when describing his team this season -- even though it returns just one starter from a team that won back-to-back regional titles.

"A lot of people ask, 'You lost four out of five starters and eight seniors, it's going to be a big rebuilding year for you,' " Lynch said. "I don't feel that way. I never use the word rebuild. I always believe we'll compete."

Senior 6-foot-3 guard/forward Chris Chana is a two-year starter who will lead six reserves from last year's team, seven players from a sophomore squad that finished 18-6, including three sophomores, and another player that was out of the country last year.

"We have great potential and the talent is there to have a nice year," Lynch insists. "Outside of Chris, we might not know who our starting five is for (Wednesday's opener in the Downers Grove South Thanksgiving Tournament). It's pretty wide open. It's been a real positive thing. Practice has been great because the door is wide open for everybody who wants to work hard.

"We have so many questions as far as who can do what, who fits where. It's exciting as a coaching staff to say, 'Wow, we've got a lot of options.' I'm not sure we'll have any answers until after Christmas. We'll be a work in progress."

• ON THE COURT: Chana averaged 9.1 points and 2.1 rebounds per game last season while shooting 50 percent from the field with 22 three-pointers and a team-best 86 percent at the free-throw line. He scored a season-high 26 points in a 67-61 win over Lyons Township and will be asked to be a more consistent and productive scorer this season.

"I told Chris the other day that we're going to rely on him to set the tone in practice and games. He's our leader," Lynch said. "He had a great summer. I think he was able to take over games in the summer. He's become a complete player. He shoots the ball well, he's a great post player and he moves without the ball, but he's worked to become a better defender. That's what he's improved on so well."

After Chana, 6-5, 220-pound senior center/forward Clay Foster has the next most experience after playing in 20 games last season. Junior 6-6 center-forward Rich Brennan and senior guard Charlie Kaplan saw action in 10 games.

"Outside of Chris, none of these guys have played varsity basketball minutes when they counted so until they understand what it takes to play in a varsity game ... it might take some time to make the adjustments," Lynch said.

With sophomores John Whitelaw, Jason Rafferty and John Lyons playing up, they figure to be in the playing mix. Whitelaw, coming off a huge year as the starting varsity quarterback for the Red Devils' 7-4 football team, and Lyons are point-guard candidates with seniors Mike Ellis and Adam Cray. The 6-3 Rafferty, who was promoted to the varsity football team for the playoffs and caught a touchdown pass, and 6-5 junior Jordan Williams, brother of last year's girls basketball star Lindsey Williams, provide enough versatility to play guard or forward with their ability to shoot and screen.

Junior 6-3 Abe Saleh is back at Hinsdale Central after living in the Middle East last year. As a result, he lost a year of eligibility, but is appealing the ruling to the Illinois High School Association.

"We do have flexibility where we can play different guys," Lynch said. "Jordan can shoot from the outside, Chris is obviously a shooter and Abe can shoot it well. Chris' post moves are so effective that based on personnel matches we might have him play forward."

Senior 6-3 Tim Kanter and juniors Nick Marinkovich, Chad Banghart and Delarris Dean also could contribute.

"We're trying to work on basic things, trying to be fundamentally sound," Lynch said.

Despite all the new faces, Hinsdale Central looks to play the same way it has the past two seasons under Lynch.

"We want to push the tempo, put pressure on the other team," Lynch said. "We'll play man-to-man defense first and foremost."

Hinsdale Central's inexperience will be tested in another way. The Red Devils play 12 of their first 13 games on the road.

"We're going to have to grow up fast and not make excuses," Lunch said. "I think we're poised to get better each game. In the second half of the season, when the kids have adjusted to my philosophy and our system, hopefully it will be a positive for us."

• CONFERENCE OUTLOOK: Defending champion Oak Park, with Division I guard recruits Iman Shumpert (Georgia Tech) and Daniel Barnes (Eastern Michigan) figures to be the favorite, with big LT (6-7, 6-6, 6-5) also a factor and Glenbard West with 6-8 Northwestern recruit John Shurna next. Hinsdale Central and Proviso West could rate in the middle of the pack.

• QUOTABLE: "I'm not sure what our strength and weaknesses are at this point," Lynch said. "The key will be how well we adjust to playing varsity ball. Our first conference game is at LT. It will be interesting to see how we play at their place."


-- by Jeff Davis

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