Parker outlasts East, 64-59

ROCKFORD -- Just when it appeared the tournament's first close game might go into overtime, a technical foul helped Janesville Parker to a 64-59 victory at East Wednesday afternoon.

The E-Rabs used an 11-0 run at the start of the second half to wipe out a 31-21 halftime deficit, but never led by more than two points after that.

Alex Moore's basket with 2:11 to play gave East its last lead at 57-55, but Darin Empereuer's three-pointer gave Parker the lead for good (58-57) with 1:50 to play.

East still had a chance in the last 10 seconds, trailing 60-59 with the ball, but a no-call which resulted in a turnover led to a technical foul on the East bench. Parker cashed four free throws in the final 5.8 seconds to close out the win in the season opener for both teams.

Parker's Carlos Campos led all scorers with 20 points. Empereuer added 17 and Marq Brooks 11 for the Vikings, who next play Elgin Larkin at 3 p.m. Saturday at Auburn. Sophomore Scott Gowan led East with 16 points. Junior Allan Robinson added 12 and freshman Chris Burnell had 11.

Janesville Parker 64, Rockford East 59
Parker 9 22 8 25 -- 64
East 7 14 15 23 -- 59
Parker -- Zane 0 2-4 2, Davis 1 0-0 2, Young 1 4-8 6, Campos 7 3-4 20, Wells 1 0-0 2, Empereuer 4 8-8 17, Weis 0 2-2 2, Brooks 5 1-7 11, Velazquez 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 20-29 64.
East -- Smith 3 0-0 6, Moore 1 0-0 2, Johnson 4 0-0 8, Robinson 4 2-3 12, Gowan 6 1-2 16, Taber 1 0-0 2, Chris Burnell 5 1-1 11, Hill 1 0-0 2. Totals 25 4-6 59.
3pt FG -- Parker 4 (Campos 3, Empereuer 1), East 5 (Robinson 2, Gowan 3).
Total fouls -- Parker 17, East 25. Fouled out -- Taber. Technical foul -- East bench.