By Fred Kroner
Dalton Hobick produced his second 30-point game this season against Hoopeston Area on Saturday (Feb. 18) as Oakwood upended the Cornjerkers, 75-68, in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal boys’ basketball game in Fithian.
Hobick hit a game-high 35 points. On Jan. 3, he tallied 37 points against Hoopeston, also at Oakwood.
Oakwood’s lead was 19-18 after one quarter, but grew into a 42-29 bulge at halftime.
Hobick made 11 second-quarter points.
Jackson Dudley matched his season’s high with four three-pointers and contributed 12 points.
Josh Ruch and Brody Taflinger each netted nine points. Tanner Pichon scored eight points and Alec Harrison made two points.
Hobick totaled 12 of his points in the final period, when he connected on 6 of 9 free throws.
Oakwood was the No. 7 seed. Hoopeston Area was the No. 10 seed.
On Friday (Feb. 17), Harrison scored 15 points, Ruch totaled 13 points and Pichon made 11 points as Oakwood won its regular-season finale at home, 69-45.
The Comets also received nine points from Hobick, eight points from Taflinger, seven from Dudley and five from Cristian Esquinca.
Oakwood built a 15-4 lead after one quarter and moved ahead, 31-16 at halftime.
Oakwood (23-9) will play St. Joseph-Ogden (25-4) in a Wednesday (Feb. 22) regional semifinal match at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin. The Comets have a four-game winning streak.
