Quick start propels Kaneland past St. Francis
Kaneland jumped out to an 18-3 lead in the first 4 minutes and continued its double-digit stranglehold throughout the rest of the way during an impressive 76-52 victory over St. Francis Tuesday night in boys basketball action in Batavia.
The Knights (2-0), who knocked off Chicago Marine Leadership Academy 70-41 Monday night, wasted little time getting started against the Spartans (0-1) during the second day of the 40th annual Ken Peddy Windmill City Classic.
Senior 6-foot-6 center Jake Gomes scored 9 of his 13 points in the opening quarter, including a three-point play off a pinpoint pass from Ryan David, to spark the Knights.
"Jake getting off to a good start - that takes the pressure off our guards," said Kaneland first-year coach Joe Conroy. "I was really happy for him because I know how hard he has worked in the off-season."
Dylan Vaca added 7 of his 15 points in the first 8 minutes as the Knights built a 27-13 lead in the opening stanza.
"We had great momentum and energy when the game started," said Conroy. "We really didn't know what to expect coming off last night. We were excited about that one but we knew that was just one game.
"Everybody contributed tonight. They're really figuring it out."
Kaneland's first-half lead swelled to as many as 23 points before taking a 43-21 halftime advantage. The Knights' defense forced 12 St. Francis turnovers during the first 16 minutes.
"They're big and long," Conroy said of the Spartans. "Our pressure caused some frustrations for them though."
The Knights led 48-23 after a 3-point basket by Mark Lilly (9 points) before St. Francis retaliated with a 14-2 run, spearheaded by Gabriel Johnson, who scored 12 of his game-high 20 points during the stretch.
Trailing 50-37 with 1:43 left in the third quarter, the Spartans would draw no closer the rest of the way, spoiling the debut of new head coach Erin Dwyer.
"It definitely was not the start we wanted," Dwyer said of his team's early 15-point deficit. "My goal was to get it to 10 before halftime but it didn't work out."
The Spartans also hurt themselves at the free-throw line where they made just 3 of 14 tries in the second quarter.
"That's the silent killer," Dwyer said of the missed foul shots.
David led the Knights with 16 points and 3 blocked shots while Ethan Conroy added 11 points and 5 assists.
"We were making our shots early - it helps when you're scoring," said David. "I think we've looked pretty good so far but only time will tell."
Will Purdom finished with 13 points for the Spartans.