Palatine on winning side at Glenbard East
No one from the Palatine boys basketball team had what could be called a big night during Saturday’s 55-46 win at Glenbard East in the host’s When Sides Collide shootout.
However, the team enjoyed a balanced scoring attack that featured six players scoring at least 7 points.
“When we’re playing well, we spread the wealth. It’s just a matter of which kid will step up. It’s when the No. 2 and No. 3 kids don’t step is when we get into trouble,” said Palatine coach Eric Millstone.
The Pirates (9-11) led just 31-28 at halftime but opened the third quarter in a big way by making 4 of their first 6 shots and taking a 40-30 advantage after Nolan Gavin made a layup. During the same span the Rams (3-15) were just 1 of 9 from the field and called a timeout with 3:40 left in the period to try and put the brakes on Palatine’s momentum.
The Pirates were ahead 43-35 at end of the 24 minutes.
Glenbard East rallied to start the final quarter, shooting 50 percent during the first three minutes while Palatine missed all five of its shots. A basket by JaRon Hall, who scored a game-high 19 points, cut the Pirates’ lead to 43-41. Millstone called a timeout to try and regroup and Palatine finished out the game on a 12-5 run to stay in the driver’s seat.
“Our defense got the offense going. We’re pressured them a bit and the turnovers rolled into offense,” Millstone said.
Chris Macahon led the Pirates with 11 points. Matt Ulrich, Dondre Watson and Justin Chaney each had 9 points. Mike Williams had 8 and Gavin 7.
As for Glenbard East, coach Scott Miller saw progress in the Rams’ presenting more of a balanced scoring attack. But he said the Rams’ search for consistency on offense continues.
“We get consistent offense, the key is we struggle with it at times. But the good thing is those periods that we struggle with are getting shorter,” Miller said.
Patrick Peterkin followed Hall on the scoresheet with 11 points.
“In the third quarter we got better ball movement, better screens and looks we were able to knockdown. The fourth quarter has been our Achilles’ heel all season. We get worn down, tired. We have to fight through the fatigue and play hard,” Miller said.