Chicago-Area High School Football News and Scores | Season Pass

Mount Carmel guard Christian Searles said he’s still finding his way on the court after missing time with the state championship football team.

The junior can call off his search.

Searles poured in a career-high 28 points as the Caravan used a crisp offense to rack-up assists in an 80-59 Chicago Catholic League victory over St. Francis de Sales on Friday.

“(Searles) did some incredible stuff,” St. Francis de Sales coach Kevin Wolfe said. “We knew he was a good ball handler, but we didn’t know he could get his shot off in space that quickly.”

Searles buried five three-pointers including one from NBA-range. The three from deep was the first of consecutive treys coming on passes from Nick Johnson to balloon the Caravan lead 54-33.

“Once I shot in the one from deep, everything was downhill form there,” Searles said. “I practice those kinds of shots and coach (Mike Flaherty) allows me to shoot it because he knows I put in the work.”

Johnson tossed in 10 points and pulled down nine boards and junior Gabriel Grant scored 14 with a feathery jump shot on display.

St. Francis de Sales (2-10, 1-3) played without leading scorer Tyler Streeter due to illness. Raashod Fenner led the Pioneers with 21 points and nine rebounds and Derrick Dawson chipped in 13 and five assists.

Mount Carmel (4-5, 2-2) converted 31 field goals off 18 assists, and eight of its players dished out passes for buckets.

“When we drive and kick and share the ball, that’s when we play well,” Searles added. “Sometimes we do too much 1-on-1 and that’s when we put ourselves in a hole.”

“Christian played very well,” Flaherty said. “Once he and our football guys really get their legs under them, I think we’ll be a pretty good team.”