Cary-Grove shuts down Seals, Dundee-Crown

After Dundee-Crown's Kiwi Seals ripped Cary-Grove's defense to shreds for 42 points in the Chargers' 2-point win over the Trojans on Jan. 6, C-G coach Ralph Schuetzle was determined not to let the D-C senior have another monster night.

Mission accomplished.

Using a variety of schemes and defenses, the Trojans held Seals to 14 points in defeating the Chargers 60-37 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division boys basketball action in Cary Tuesday night.

Seals, who was 0-of-5 from 3-point range, made only 6-of-18 shots from the floor.

"We knew we had to change up our defenses on Seals," said Schuetzle. "We used a lot of different packages on him and we couldn't let him have another big scoring night. He is so slippery and we let him split our defense too much the last game. We cut down angles and didn't let him penetrate. It was a good team defensive effort."

While the Trojans (11-9, 4-3) were outstanding on the defensive end, Cary-Grove controlled the game early offensively.

Sizzling from 3-point range, the Trojans were 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in the first quarter for 71 percent and led 17-8 after 8 minutes.

Jason Gregoire, who was a perfect 3-of-3 from 3-point land for 9 points also dealt out 3 assists. Adam Loch was a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc in the first quarter for 6 points.

The closest D-C got was 6, 24-18, after a 3-pointer by Sam Buckley with 2:12 left before intermission.

Leading 30-19 at halftime, the Trojans ensured there wouldn't be a Charger comeback with a 9-2 run to start the second half. Gregoire scored 5 points including a trey and Michael Coleman scored a pair of baskets as Cary-Grove (11-9, 4-3) extended an 11-point advantage at halftime to 18, 39-21, with 5:06 left in the third quarter.

The Trojans' biggest lead was 24, 58-34, after a trey by Loch with 1:46 remaining.

Gregoire, who was 7-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range, led Cary-Grove with 22 points along with 5 assists.

"We really wanted this game," said Gregoire. "The loss to D-C earlier in the season was a tough one. We really let one slip away. We really worked hard in practice and we did a much better job on Kiwi in this game."

Loch, with three 3-pointers, added 13 points for Cary-Grove while Coleman and Nick Barr scored 10 each.

Buckley backed Seals with 11 for D-C.

"Give Cary-Grove all the credit," said Dundee-Crown coach Lance Huber. "They played a great game."