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Experienced Geneva overwhelms young Huntley

Monday night's first round game of the 8th Annual Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving Tournament pitted an experienced and talented Geneva squad against an inexperienced Huntley team.

Geneva proved too much for the overmatched Red Raiders, cruising to a 63-26 win in a game played at Prairie Ridge in Crystal Lake.

"I didn't think they blew us out," said first-year Huntley coach Will Benson."They gradually built up the lead. It was a tough match up for us. Credit to Geneva, they are a very talented team. Out of our top none, only one player has any varsity experience. It is a good reference point for us. We just need to turn the page."

The Red Raiders just couldn't contain Geneva senior forward Nate Navigato, who connected on 11 of 15 shots from the floor including 2 of 4 from 3-point range in scoring 31 points.

"It's not Nate's first rodeo," said Geneva coach Phil Ralston. ""If he touches the ball good things usually happen."

Navigato is glad to get the season going.

'We know if we work hard we can have a good season," he said. "We went to the sectional finals last year and want to do a little better this season."

Huntley stayed close early as Connor Boesch's 15-footer pulled the Red Raiders even at 6-6 with 2:25 left in the first quarter.

Those would be the last points Huntley would score in the quarter.

Geneva (1-0), playing without injured starters Chase Temple and Michael Landi, ended the quarter on a 5-0 run. All 5 points were scored by Navigato on a 3-pointer and an 18-footer and the Vikings led 11-6 after 8 minutes.

Geneva seized control of the game by starting the second quarter with a 10-2 run and grabbed a 21-8 advantage with 4:33 left in the half.

Navigato scored 15 of his 21 first-half points in the second quarter as Geneva led 31-17 at intermission.

The Vikings' biggest lead was 40, 60-20, after a 3 by Drew Klaus with 1:23 left in the game.

"We were a little nervous and had to knock off some rust to start the game," said Ralston. "We weren't perfect but for a first game we played well. With our size we took advantage of some mismatches. We overwhelmed them with our height advantage."

Jake Rocks added 16 for the Vikes while Dave Cruz led the Red Raiders with 8 points.

  Huntley's Jason Zobott passes the ball up court to teammate Makomborero Tizora against Geneva Monday at the Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving tournament. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Huntley's Joshua Esikiel tries to shoot over Geneva's Nate Navigato Monday at the Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving tournament. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Jake Rocks dunks the ball against Huntley Monday at the Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving tournament. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Jake Rocks gets position for the rebound against Huntley's Connor Boesch Monday at the Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving tournament. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Huntley's Alec Coss looks for an opening against Geneva's Nate Navogato Monday at the Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving tournament. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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