Proviso West: Kalin Fisher, Proviso East muscle out Hinsdale Central

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Hinsdale Central’s Matt Rafferty had a gash above his right eye after colliding with a Proviso East player early in the game. Proviso East’s Kalin Fisher had a contact fall out four different times.

It was a rough, intense, high-level game, the best game of the first round at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament in Hillside. The Pirates came from behind to beat Hinsdale Central 77-69.

Assistant coach Cedric McCullough was filling in for Proviso East coach Donnie Boyce, who is suspended after an altercation with a student last week at school. Boyce is a security guard at the school.

McCullough said he wasn’t sure when Boyce would be back.

“We’re just going day by day,” said McCullough.

The Proviso East coach staff is in touch with Boyce but the players are not.

The Pirates didn’t miss a beat in their first game without Boyce. They trailed by seven at the half, but seemed to wear down the Red Devils in the fourth quarter.

“They just got real tired,” said Fisher. “I could see it.”

Fisher scored 26 points and Tyler Chisom added 18. Junior Willie Greenwood chipped in with 12 points off the bench and Antonio Williams scored 12 and grabbed five rebounds for Proviso East (6-2).

“It’s been real tough (without Boyce),” said Fisher. “I’ve just tried to step up and be more of a leader.”

Rafferty finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds. He had to leave the game twice when the gash over his eye opened up and started bleeding.

“We tried to stop Rafferty,” said Fisher. “Tried to key on him.”

Jordan Bradshaw scored 33 points for Hinsdale Central (7-2). He shot 6 for 11 from three-point range.

The Pirates will face the winner of Kenwood-Morton in the second round on Tuesday.