Ebube’s big night powers Mundelein
Mundelein senior Chino Ebube experienced a first of sorts Saturday night in the Mustangs’ North Suburban Lake boys basketball contest with visiting Warren.
As he walked out of the locker room after the game, Ebube took a few minutes to sign his first autograph — and why not, after what Mundelein coach Dick Knar called “a human highlight reel performance?”
“I told Chino that with the type of defense that Warren plays he would have a lot of opportunities for dunks tonight, and he did,” Knar said.
Ebube soared over, around and even seemingfly through a few of the Blue Devils with an array of dunks that would make just about best-of reel.
More importantly, his career-best 27-point output gave Mundelein another first — well, at least a first in a long time: a win over Warren, 67-56.
“This is a lot of fun for me, but it’s more fun when we get the win like this,” said Ebube, who also had 9 boards and 8 blocks. “I just try and motivate my team, and when I dunk the ball it’s a fun experience.”
Mundelein snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Blue Devils dating back to before Ebube and teammate SIU-bound Sean O’Brien were in high school.
“I had this one circled on my calendar,” said O’Brien, who chipped in a double-double of 11 points and 10 assists. “I never have beaten (Warren) and it was nice to finally get one over these guys.”
Ebube, who will play college ball at Missouri S & T next year, hooked up with O’Brien for scores several times. Most of them came in a decisive third quarter as Mundelein built on a 34-27 halftime advantage.
“That was the part that was really nice to see,” Knar said. “In the past we get a lead and don’t build on it, and tonight I thought we did an excellent job of building the lead in that third quarter.”
Mundelein (4-4, 2-1) used a 9-2 run to open the third quarter, stretching its advance to as much as 43-29. Each time Warren cut into the margin, the Mustangs had an answer. During one stretch in the fourth quarter, Ebube had three straight dunks while swatting away three Blue Devil shots on the other end.
“I just didn’t like us defensively tonight,” Warren coach Ryan Webber said. “(Mundelein) beat us to every 50-50 ball and it just seemed like we were a step behind them tonight. You add that with them getting Chino back, with him playing in his own world tonight — made it tough.”
Senior Aarias Austin did his best to keep the Devils close. He scored 15 of his team-best 20 in the second half. Warren, which saw its five game winning streak snapped also got 12 from James Betori and 10 from Adrian Deere.
Cliff Dunigan added 11 for Mundelein.