Romeoville, Trice holds off Schmid, Plainfield South in SPC East

In a Southwest Prairie East battle on Saturday, Romeoville hung on to defeat Plainfield South 56-49 at "The Ville".

The host Spartans were led by their double double machine, 6-foot-4, 245 pound senior Trayton Trice.

Trice picked up the double double scoring 15 points and hauling down 10 rebounds to lead the Spartans (2-3, 2-3).

Romeoville also received a fine performance from senior Charlie Burd, who scored an even dozen points for the Spartans. Burd nailed three clutch free throws in the final 30 seconds to hold off Plainfield South (3-2,3-2).

With five minutes remaining in the contest, Trice hit one of two free throws for a 48-37 Spartan lead.

Led by 13 fourth-quarter points from 6-foot-4 junior Connor Schmid , Plainfield South pulled within 53-49 with 19 seconds remaining. Spartan senior Tyler Johnson (seven points) buried a pair of clutch free throws and Burd made one of two but grab the rebound to run out the clock.

Schmid scored a game-high 24 points for the Cougars but had another tough night at the free-throw line converting just 3 of 10.

The Spartans seemingly had put this game away with a big second quarter.

Leading 14-10 after one quarter, the Spartans received five points from senior Naji Mason-Toles, who's long-range three point bomb and bucket for two gave the Spartans a 19-12 lead, with five minutes remaining in the half.

Burd, who scored seven of his dozen points, in the second quarter, as Romeoville opened up a 26-14 lead with 2:47 left in the half.

Spartan junior Sencere Hood (eight points) nailed a pair of free-throws to give The Ville a 32-18 lead.

Plainfield South's Izaiah Huerta buried a much-needed three-pointer to pull the Cougars within 32-21 at the half.

"Last night we didn't come out with much intensity and had to step it up tonight," Trice said. "The double double is what I try to do every night. Naji (Mason-Towels) is one of our senior leaders."

"We kept pushing the intensity," Burd said. "I had to step up my game so we could win tonight. I made my free throws and even on the one I missed, I was able to get the rebound."

Plainfield South picked up 10 points from senior Amarion Molette and senior Jeremiah Jones chipped in with seven points.

"We're learning," Romeoville coach Marc Howard said. "We learned to win. Against both Joliet schools we had 10-point leads get away. Charlie Burd is really bringing a lot for us. Trayton looks like a kid who's ready to play some college basketball. Plainfield South is a good team who really played hard tonight."