Proviso West: Sophomore Marcus Garrett keys Hillcrest win over Fenwick

Hillcrest’s core group of starters is tight knit. Five seniors, wearing jersey numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

So it’s a little unusual that the key player for the Hawks this season (and the star on Monday) is sophomore guard Marcus Garrett. But then you find out why he wears No. 15.

“(Former Julian and Duke star) Sean Dockery is my cousin,” said Garrett. “So it’s kind of a tribute to him.”

Garrett scored 15 points to lead Hillcrest to a 53-48 win in overtime over Fenwick at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament in Hillside. His three-point play to start the extra period gave the Hawks a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I just stole the ball and took off,” said Garrett. “I saw Myles (McCoy) was open but decided to finish myself. We needed the bucket.”

McCoy played a key role himself, draining 3 of 5 free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory.

“I was nervous,” said McCoy. “Didn’t get them all but made enough.”

Garrett fit in with his older teammates right from the start this season. His best game before Monday was the season-opening loss to Hales.

“I’ve been playing with him since we were little,” said McCoy. “He gives us a lot of energy off the bench. We’ve been starting really slow this year so we’ve needed it. We need to fix that fast.”

McCoy finished with 11 points and George McDaniel added six points and eight rebounds for the Hawks (9-1).

Hillcrest held Fenwick’s Mike Ballard to just six points and three rebounds. He was the major focus of the game plan.

“We just didn’t want to let him touch the ball,” said Hillcrest coach Don Houston. “George McDaniel, one of our most energetic guys, just shadowed him the whole game.”

Mike Smith led Fenwick (8-2) with 18 points, he was 7 for 14 from the field.