Hinsdale Central’s Vincas Buzelis Shakes Off Heckler, Scores 25 to Lead Red Devils Past Oswego East
Matas Buzelis played for the Bulls on Tuesday night. He threw down a sweet dunk and scored nine points in a win against the Wizards. Forty-one miles west in Oswego at about the same time his brother Vincas was on the court for Hinsdale Central listening to a kid in the Oswego East student section yell “You will never be in the NBA.”
“There are a lot of ups and downs with having a famous brother,” Buzelis said. “People expect a lot from me. I use it as motivation. It’s funny.”
Buzelis wasn’t fazed. The 6-4 senior is strong and athletic with a soft touch around the basket. He scored 25 points to lead the No. 20 Red Devils to a 69-57 win against Oswego East.
Strong Start
The Red Devils played smoothly and unselfishly, with Hinsdale Central (2-0) looking like a well-oiled machine. That’s uncommon for any team in the first week of the season.
Buzelis’ Goals
Buzelis says the goal for the season is to win the state title. That isn’t as wild a claim as it may seem at first. Class 4A is wide open, and Buzelis is one of the few Division I-bound seniors. Also, Hinsdale Central coach Nick Latorre, a 15-year veteran, knows how to bring a team together over the course of a season.
Team Effort
Hinsdale Central had 13 turnovers but played notably faster than some recent Red Devils’ teams. Senior guard Dillon Dell scored nine points, and Dillon Orozco added 13.
Oswego East’s Effort
The Wolves played without star junior Mason Lockett, who may miss the first week of the season due to a minor injury. They shot 9 of 19 from three-point range and stayed within striking distance of Hinsdale Central until the fourth quarter.
Final Score
Hinsdale Central led Oswego East 32-28 at halftime. Vincas Buzelis scored 12, including this driving bucket late in the 2Q. The score is actually 32-30, may be corrected at the start of the 3Q. [1]
Conclusion
Buzelis’ performance led the Red Devils to a strong start, and his ability to shake off a heckler only added to his impressive game. With a strong team effort and a coach with experience, Hinsdale Central looks like a force to be reckoned with in the state.
FAQs
- What was the final score in the game?
- Hinsdale Central won 69-57.
- Who led the Red Devils in scoring?
- Vincas Buzelis with 25 points.
- Who did the Wolves play without due to injury?
- Star junior Mason Lockett, who may miss the first week of the season due to a minor injury.
