Will Cook County News

On February 21st, at the Palos Hills Regionals, the #8 Eisenhower Cardinals (24-7, 11-2) took on the #9 Stagg Chargers (19-11, 5-3) in the second round of IHSA regionals. The last time these two faced each other was during the 2011-2012 season which Stagg won 89-82.

Written by Claude Martinez & photos by Nuha Abdesslam.

The Cardinals of Eisenhower fell to the Stagg Chargers on Wednesday night at the Palos Hills Regional. There was many ups and downs for both teams but that did not stop the Chargers for pulling out a win.

The first was a close game with Eisenhower leading only by two (29-31). In the third, Stagg took the lead (43-38). The game was finished in the fourth. At 5:58 left, Aytpey Salinas of Eisenhower tied up the game with a three. After some play, at 3:30 David Ortiz knotted it with two free throws. Eisenhower came back but Connor Williams put the game to 56 to 55. Another two was made for Stagg and AJ Abrams went one for two at the line. The clock ran out leaving Stagg the victors.

Head Coach Marty Strus spoke about the win. “Connor is usually our guy but they did a pretty good job taking Connor out. It seemed like Domas Narcevicius rebounded the ball pretty well, Yousef Jarrad got some big rebounds underneath and defensively we were really locked in after the first quarter.”

Narcevicius was put on the bench in January but that did not change his attitude.

“It’s a really special group. I have been playing with these guys since I was moved up as a sophomore.”

He added about his play on Friday night. “I feel like I should slow down when I get the ball. There were a couple times I threw the ball just to shoot it. I have to start utilizing my strengths and my body while going for layups and drives.”

His energy came from the whole team. “Everybody. one through nineteen, the coaches, the bench, they all got me going.”

Stagg will face the number one ranked Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings on Friday.

FINAL Eisenhower 56, Stagg 58. (Updated at 11:38 pm 2/21/24)

Special thank you to athletic director Jenifer Doede (Stagg) and head coaches Marty Struns (Stagg) and Neil Miguez (Eisenhower).

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