McHenry Warriors Overcome Early Deficit to Defeat Burlington Central

The McHenry Warriors secured a thrilling victory over the Burlington Central Rockets on December 1, 2023, achieving their first win in the Fox Valley Conference with a score of 53-47. Despite facing a double-digit deficit in the first quarter, McHenry showcased resilience and teamwork to rally back against their opponents.

Coach Corky Card noted that the demeanor of his players during the game was encouraging. “I don’t want to see the palms of your hands,” he emphasized, referring to the importance of maintaining a positive attitude even when facing adversity. By the end of the match, the Warriors were celebrating, high-fiving each other after a hard-fought comeback.

Leading the charge for McHenry, Nathan Ottaway scored a game-high 19 points, while Adam Anwar made a significant impact in the third quarter, contributing 10 of his 15 points during that stretch. After trailing 16-6 at the end of the first quarter, the Warriors showed determination and confidence. “We just know if we can play our style of basketball, it will give us the win,” Ottaway stated.

The game took a critical turn as McHenry managed to take a brief 21-20 lead near the end of the first half. Despite their efforts, Burlington Central entered halftime with a 26-23 advantage. The Rockets struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 6 of 11 attempts in the second quarter, while also containing Anwar, who was limited to five points at halftime.

Burlington Central’s junior, Bennek Braden, led his team with 12 points, including a strong performance in the early stages of the game. Braden explained the defensive strategy employed against Anwar: “Just pushing him out of the paint and having my teammates to help when he got the ball. We just wanted to push him off his spot.”

As the game progressed, McHenry began to find their rhythm. The Warriors, who shared the Fox Valley Conference title last season, faced a challenging season ahead after graduating six of their top seven scorers. Anwar, the only returning starter, averaged 18.2 points per game last year. Coach Card acknowledged the adjustments Anwar must make this season, stating, “It’s a learning curve for him.”

In the fourth quarter, McHenry stretched their lead to 49-38 after Anwar converted two free throws with 3:18 remaining. The Rockets responded with a 6-0 run, but McHenry’s Dane Currie secured the win by making 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute. Ottaway, who has focused on driving to the basket this season, reflected on his game: “I put in the work over the summer. I got better in AAU, I’m being more aggressive and listening to my coaches.”

Anwar eventually found his scoring touch, executing a post-up move that resulted in a three-point play, further pushing McHenry’s lead. He commented on the increased defensive attention he faced, saying, “This was, by far, the most attention I’ve gotten. They just packed the lane and immediately double-, triple-teamed.”

Burlington Central, despite the loss, showed promise with contributions from Patrick Magan and Cash Cumpata, each scoring nine points. Freshman forward Declan Wilson grabbed nine rebounds and added four points to his team’s effort. Coach Brett Porto acknowledged the challenges faced by his young team but remained optimistic about their development, stating, “We’re extremely young and just lack some offensive toughness. We’re undersized, but we’re improving.”

The victory not only boosts McHenry’s confidence but also sets the stage for the remainder of the season. With their first Fox Valley Conference win secured, the Warriors are eager to build on this momentum as they continue competing in the league.