Streamwood turns the tables on Elgin

What a different 6 weeks and one important player can make.

Back on December 5 the Streamwood boys basketball team lost at Elgin by 14 points. On Friday night the Sabres returned the favor with a 52-37 win at home against the Maroons in an Upstate Eight River contest.

Cole Seger, who was limited to just 8 minutes in the first meeting because of foul trouble, led Streamwood with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

It was only the Sabres' second win of the season.

"I'm really happy for the kids," Streamwood coach Paul Kowalyzyn said. "They come in and work their tails off everyday, so it's good to see them finally enjoy some success."

The Sabres (2-16, 1-7) started the game on a 10-0 roll.

"We came out with some fire," Kowalyzyn said. "We came out and executed the game plan and we didn't deviate from it. I think the other big difference was our guards handled the pressure a lot better this time around and (Jeleel) Jenkins did a real good job of face guarding their point guard (Desmond) Douglas. He's a real good player and Jenkins was able to hold him in check.""

Seger had 7 points in the first quarter and the Sabres led 15-8.

"The difference tonight was we were able to build some momentum," Seger said. "We hustled and were strong taking the ball to the basket. We have some potential and talent to win some games. Hopefully, this can get us going."

Elgin (5-11, 1-6) pulled to within 28-25 by halftime before Streamwood started to pull away in the second half. The Sabres went on a 9-2 run at the start of the third quarter to open a 37-27 lead. Seger scored 8 of his points in the third quarter and the Sabres led 43-32.

"That's the Cole we have expected since the beginning of the season," Kowalyzyn said. "We need him to be strong like that inside."

Joey O'Halloran added 10 points, including two 3-pointers for the Sabres.

The Maroons' offense struggled as they shot just 10-of-51 (just under 20 percent) from the field.

"It starts with our defense," Elgin coach Mike Sitter said. "When we get after it on defense it carries over to our offense. But when we don't our offense gets stagnant and that's what happened tonight. (Streamwood) wanted it more. They came out and played harder than us from the opening tip."

Douglas had 14 points to lead the Maroons in scoring. Shaquille Bennett added 11.