McHenry Warriors Rally to Defeat Burlington Central, 53-47

The McHenry boys basketball team staged a notable comeback on March 15, 2024, overcoming an early double-digit deficit to secure a 53-47 victory against Burlington Central. With a game-high performance from Nathan Ottaway, who scored 19 points, and a strong showing by Adam Anwar in the second half, the Warriors achieved their first win in the Fox Valley Conference this season.

Coach Corky Card remained optimistic despite his team trailing 16-6 at the end of the first quarter. He noted the players’ positive body language and refusal to give up hope as key indicators of their potential to rally. “I don’t want to see the palms of your hands,” Card stated, emphasizing his desire for the team to maintain their fighting spirit. By game’s end, McHenry’s hands were high in celebration.

After falling behind early, the Warriors began to find their rhythm. Ottaway’s aggressive play and Anwar’s resurgence in the third quarter were critical to their success. “We just know if we can play our style of basketball, it will give us the win,” Ottaway commented post-game. “Even when we go down a little, we know we’ll come right back up.”

Central, despite holding a 26-23 lead at halftime, struggled with their free-throw shooting, making only 6 of 11 attempts in the second quarter. The Rockets’ defense, led by Bennek Braden, who scored 12 points, focused heavily on limiting Anwar, holding him to just five points in the first half. Braden, a 6-foot-2 junior, explained the game plan: “Just pushing him out of the paint and having my teammates help when he got the ball.”

The Warriors entered the second half with a renewed sense of urgency. Anwar, who averaged 18.2 points per game last season, finally found his footing with a crucial three-point play that extended McHenry’s lead to 34-29. “This was, by far, the most attention I’ve gotten,” Anwar noted, referring to the defensive pressure he faced.

As the fourth quarter progressed, McHenry maintained control, leading 49-38 after Anwar’s free throws with 3:18 remaining. Though Burlington Central attempted to close the gap with a 6-0 run, Dane Currie stepped up, scoring five points in the final minute to secure the win for the Warriors.

The victory marked an important step for McHenry, who shared the Fox Valley Conference title last season but faced challenges this year after graduating six of their top seven scorers. Card acknowledged that Anwar would continue to face double teams, stating, “It’s a learning curve for him. It’s nice to know that he doesn’t have to get 20 for us to win.”

Burlington Central’s coach Brett Porto recognized the growth potential in his young team, despite the loss. “We’re extremely young and just lack some offensive toughness,” Porto said. “We’re undersized, but we’re improving. Today was a step in the right direction, just not in the won-lost column.”

As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances, with McHenry celebrating a much-needed victory and Burlington Central focusing on sharpening their skills. The Warriors’ next challenge will be to maintain their momentum, while the Rockets aim to capitalize on their lessons learned.