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Off the court, Naperville Central’s Jonah Hinton has a special friendship with Naperville North guards Zeke and Luke Williams.
On the court, “obviously it’s not friends,” according to Hinton. But those ties that are as strong as family remain.
“They are like brothers to me,” Hinton said. “I have been playing against them for a long time in AAU and now high school.
“Their first sport is football, and I support them in that. They support me in basketball. We love to see each other succeed, except when we play each other.”
Hinton had the upper hand Friday night, scoring 22 points and engineering a comeback in the fourth quarter as the Redhawks prevailed for a 71-61 DuPage Valley Conference victory over the host Huskies.
Naperville Central’s Jonah Hinton (5) puts up a 3-pointer against Naperville North’s Jacob Nolen (14) during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun)
A senior guard, Hinton hit two of his five 3 pointers in the fourth, sparking a 16-3 run that nullified Naperville North’s 52-46 lead entering the final quarter.
Naperville Central (18-6, 6-2) swept the season series and won for the sixth time in the last seven meetings.
Zeke Williams, a senior guard, scored 21 points for the Huskies (12-14, 3-5). Luke Williams, a sophomore guard, added 16 points, five rebounds and three steals.
“Credit to them,” Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer said. “They really shot the ball all night long. They were red-hot.
“We just clamped down and found a way to get some stops in the fourth quarter.”
Naperville Central’s Jonah Hinton (5) celebrates with teammates after making a play against Naperville North during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun)
Kramer said the key was junior forward Michael Boyce, who scored four points, guarding Zeke Williams as the Redhawks switched from a zone to a man defense.
“He made Zeke take some tough shots and maybe do some things he didn’t want to during that fourth quarter,” Kramer said.
Hinton scored eight points in the fourth as Naperville Central outscored the Huskies 25-9.
His deep 3-pointer produced the first tie at 54-54. He followed with a steal and drive for the Redhawks’ first lead of the second half. He also had a crucial drive and assist to Boyce.
“I hit a few shots, but it was sparked by the whole team,” Hinton said. “Brad Kuta was crashing the boards. He had the hardest task of guarding Zeke and Luke, and he played really hard.”
Naperville Central’s Mantas Zilys (23) drives for a layup against Naperville North’s Bryce Welch (3) during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun)
Junior forward Mantas Zilys also scored 22 points. His 3-pointer came during a four-minute stretch that saw Naperville Central force three turnovers and hold the Huskies scoreless from the field.
Naperville Central also shot 9 of 9 from the free-throw line in the final two minutes.
“We were just in a rhythm in the fourth,” Zilys said. “Everybody played great. We had fantastic energy.
“Even if you miss shots, you have to stay confident. That confidence is what kept us going.”
Junior guard Simon Krugliakovas scored 10 points for the Redhawks. Senior guard James Jopes added seven points.
Despite the loss, Naperville North showed off its improvement from the start of the season, taking a 37-33 halftime lead.
The Huskies only scored 32 points losing the first game of the season against Naperville Central by 18.
Naperville North’s Luke Williams (5) puts up a 3-pointer against Naperville Central during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun)
Sophomore guard Bryce Welch contributed 13 points, three steals and three assists for the Huskies. Senior guard Jake Torcasio added seven points.
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“We improved a lot since the last time we played them,” Naperville North coach Gene Nolan said. “The issue in the fourth quarter was we had a lot of empty possessions offensively.
“When you have a hard time scoring like that, it becomes a multiplier. They were also able to get action in transition and hit some really tough shots.”
Nolan praised the spirit of his players.
“They battled,” he said. “And that’s why I love coaching them.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. Off the court, Naperville Central’s Jonah Hinton has a special friendship with Naperville North guards Zeke and Luke Williams. On the court, “obviously it’s not friends,” according to Hinton. But those ties that are as strong as family remain. “They are like brothers to me,” Hinton said. “I have been playing against them for a long time in AAU and now high school. “Their first sport is football, and I support them in that. They support me in basketball. We love to see each other succeed, except when we play each other.” Hinton had the upper hand Friday night, scoring 22 points and engineering a comeback in the fourth quarter as the Redhawks prevailed for a 71-61 DuPage Valley Conference victory over the host Huskies. Naperville Central’s Jonah Hinton (5) puts up a 3-pointer against Naperville North’s Jacob Nolen (14) during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) A senior guard, Hinton hit two of his five 3 pointers in the fourth, sparking a 16-3 run that nullified Naperville North’s 52-46 lead entering the final quarter. Naperville Central (18-6, 6-2) swept the season series and won for the sixth time in the last seven meetings. Zeke Williams, a senior guard, scored 21 points for the Huskies (12-14, 3-5). Luke Williams, a sophomore guard, added 16 points, five rebounds and three steals. “Credit to them,” Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer said. “They really shot the ball all night long. They were red-hot. “We just clamped down and found a way to get some stops in the fourth quarter.” Naperville Central’s Jonah Hinton (5) celebrates with teammates after making a play against Naperville North during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Kramer said the key was junior forward Michael Boyce, who scored four points, guarding Zeke Williams as the Redhawks switched from a zone to a man defense. “He made Zeke take some tough shots and maybe do some things he didn’t want to during that fourth quarter,” Kramer said. Hinton scored eight points in the fourth as Naperville Central outscored the Huskies 25-9. His deep 3-pointer produced the first tie at 54-54. He followed with a steal and drive for the Redhawks’ first lead of the second half. He also had a crucial drive and assist to Boyce. “I hit a few shots, but it was sparked by the whole team,” Hinton said. “Brad Kuta was crashing the boards. He had the hardest task of guarding Zeke and Luke, and he played really hard.” Naperville Central’s Mantas Zilys (23) drives for a layup against Naperville North’s Bryce Welch (3) during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Junior forward Mantas Zilys also scored 22 points. His 3-pointer came during a four-minute stretch that saw Naperville Central force three turnovers and hold the Huskies scoreless from the field. Naperville Central also shot 9 of 9 from the free-throw line in the final two minutes. “We were just in a rhythm in the fourth,” Zilys said. “Everybody played great. We had fantastic energy. “Even if you miss shots, you have to stay confident. That confidence is what kept us going.” Junior guard Simon Krugliakovas scored 10 points for the Redhawks. Senior guard James Jopes added seven points. Despite the loss, Naperville North showed off its improvement from the start of the season, taking a 37-33 halftime lead. The Huskies only scored 32 points losing the first game of the season against Naperville Central by 18. Naperville North’s Luke Williams (5) puts up a 3-pointer against Naperville Central during a DuPage Valley Conference game in Naperville on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Mike Mantucca / Naperville Sun) Sophomore guard Bryce Welch contributed 13 points, three steals and three assists for the Huskies. Senior guard Jake Torcasio added seven points. Naperville Sun Newsletter Twice-weekly News updates from the Naperville area delivered every Monday and Wednesday “We improved a lot since the last time we played them,” Naperville North coach Gene Nolan said. “The issue in the fourth quarter was we had a lot of empty possessions offensively. “When you have a hard time scoring like that, it becomes a multiplier. They were also able to get action in transition and hit some really tough shots.” Nolan praised the spirit of his players. “They battled,” he said. “And that’s why I love coaching them.” Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.