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Negron, Larkin topple Prairie Ridge

There was a lesson learned after the Larkin boys basketball team dropped an Upstate River matchup to St. Charles North Friday night - that sophomore Christian Negron has to be more of a focal point offensively by being aggressive and selfish.

While the 6-foot-6 inch Negron carries an alternative approach, there was no doubt that Larkin benefits from that game plan after he poured in 18 points in Larkin's 58-48 win over Prairie Ridge to open pool play of the 2014 Hinkle Holiday Classic hosted by Jacobs in Algonquin Saturday.

Securing 13 rebounds and 3 steals, Negron also drained three 3-pointers and registered two 7-point quarters, showing his inside and outside game that's intrigued multiple Division I college programs.

"We've been imploring him to be more aggressive, and his teammates have been asking him to be more aggressive," Larkin coach Deryn Carter said. "It's a testament to his unselfishness and his personality and he's hesitant to do so but he's still got to get up more shots."

Negron went 7-for-9 from the field and even dunked back home a missed free throw with two hands that wasn't counted after a miscommunication with the referees on how many foul shots Juwan Stewart should have been awarded in the third quarter.

"Basically (Carter) said he needed more of me on offense and I completely agree," Negron said. "As a returning starter there should be more production coming from me. Today, I just looked to find the open spots on the court, and I was blessed that my teammates kept giving me the ball and trusting me."

"When he plays more aggressive it feeds off to the team and we all want to play more aggressive," guard AJ Hunter said. "He's like the heart of our team. He keeps everyone going, he's the young kid on the team so that's a good thing. It's an honor to play with someone like that."

And aggression was what helped a pesky team like Prairie Ridge (3-5) come unraveled in the second half. With the Royals leading by just 2 at the half Negron posted 7 points in the third on 2 second-chance efforts and his big 3-pointer in the right wing with 2:45 left gave Larkin (8-4) a 33-31 lead and the Royals never trailed thereafter.

"Our intensity in the second half just wasn't what it was in the first half," Wolves' coach Corky Card said. "As soon it dropped a little bit, you can't do that against teams that are good."

Prairie Ridge, led by Payton Otto's 10 points, cut the lead to 1 early in the fourth but relentless pressure by Larkin and Hunter's 3-pointer created some separation. Negron's layup with 7:05 left made it 42-36 and the Royals pushed the lead to 14 at one point as PR totaled 18 turnovers.

"If you continually pressure, you never know when it's going to happen," Carter said. "But you assume a team will break a little bit and they didn't break for a long time."

The junior Hunter took over after that, scoring 9 of his 17 points in the fourth, including 4 from the line. Hunter hit 3 from deep as well.

"For the most part we were able to keep the lead up, get rebounds from Negron and not take dumb shots," Hunter said, proud of the minutes he logged. "But then again (we were) smart with the ball and knocked down a couple 3s in the fourth quarter also."

Images: Larkin vs. Prairie Ridge, boys basketball

  Larkin's Keion Adams, slips past Prairie Ridge's Payton Otto on his way to the hoop during action at the 2014 Hinkle Holiday Classic at Jacobs High School in Algonquin Saturday. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Larkin's Tanner Gardon, left, and AJ Hunter, sandwich Prairie Ridge's Payton Otto during boys basketball action at the 2014 Hinkle Holiday Classic at Jacobs High School in Algonquin Saturday. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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