Sutter leads Streaks late

Woodstock’s Jyron Aparri shoots over Round Lake’s Darren Rhodes on Tuesday in Woodstock. The Blue Streaks won, 47-44. For a photo gallery from the game, visit NWHerald.com. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

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WOODSTOCK – Mike Sutter spent the beginning of this basketball season playing wide receiver for Woodstock’s state quarterfinal football team.

After sitting out the first half of Tuesday’s opening game of the Hoops For Healing Tournament to learn by watching his teammates, Sutter scored nine second-half points including two free throws in the final 10 seconds to lead Woodstock to a 47-44 win against Round Lake.

“[Shooting free throws is] always something you like to do,” Sutter said. “I always shoot free throws even during football season. It is something you can do anytime.”

Sutter couldn’t wait to get into the game.

“I knew I was going to be put on the point on defense since I did that last season, so I was looking forward to doing that and getting after it,” Sutter said.

The Blue Streaks (1-0) led by as much as 17 points in the second quarter, but let the lead slip away against Round Lake in the season opener for both teams.

Woodstock built a six-point lead after one quarter, and went on a 12-2 run to start the second quarter to go up, 28-11.

However, the Panthers stormed back, scoring the final nine points of the first half and went on a 19-2 run that tied the game at 30 midway through the third quarter.

After going back and forth for the rest of the third quarter and most of the fourth, Woodstock had a 45-44 lead with nine seconds left when Sutter was fouled. He made both free throws after making only one of his first three attempts.

A desperate heave by Juddon Carter at the buzzer fell short, giving Woodstock its first win.

Woodstock coach Alex Baker said because Sutter had practiced only once with the team, he used the first half as more of a classroom experience.

“He hasn’t had a lot of time with us,” Baker said. “So I sat him in the first half to show him some of the things that we have been working on all fal.”

Jyron Aparri led Woodstock in scoring with 11 points, all of which came in the first half.

In earlier action, Marian Central fell to Hononegah, 67-37. Danny Noonan had 12 points to lead the Hurricanes (0-1).