Downers Grove South handles St. Charles North
The St. Charles North boys basketball team tied up its game against Downers Grove South with back-to-back Griffin Hammer buckets to open the second half.
But Downers South would answer with a 22-5 run to close the third quarter on the fourth day of the Ron Johnson Thanksgiving Tournament at St. Charles East on Friday night.
The Mustangs did not look back in advancing to Saturday's 7:45 p.m. championship game against St. Joseph with a 74-58 victory.
"I think it was our tempo (that was the difference in the third quarter)," Downers South coach Kris Olson said. "We go 10 (players) deep. I don't know how deep (the North Stars) go. It got to the point where they wore out, and we were still fresh."
Denis Alibegocvic hit the fourth of his five 3-pointers to end an unanswered 8-point run after the North Stars tied the game at 41-41 after the first two possessions of the third quarter.
"We just played together," Alibegovic said after pouring in a game-high 21 points. "We just did what we do. I had a good night. We shot the ball well."
TJ Clifford had consecutive field goals in the third quarter to give the Mustangs their initial double-digit lead of the second half.
St. Charles North (1-2) would never come within single figures again.
Coach Tom Poulin was nothing if not honest after the North Stars fell under .500 on the infant season.
"We had mistakes that were unacceptable at the varsity level," Poulin said. "I am not pleased with how we look - and that's on me."
The Mustangs (3-0) hit the North Stars with a 17-2 run following the pair of field goals by Hammer to tie the game early in the third quarter.
Sam Ebersold had the last of his three third-quarter field goals to give Downers South a 58-43 lead; Jahleel Smith drained a 3-pointer to give the Mustangs a 63-46 lead after three quarters.
Michael Schroeder would score 4 straight points to begin the fourth to bring St. Charles North within 13 points, but Downers South would only expand its lead by as much as 22 points to close out the game.
Clifford and Ebersold also finished in double digits with 16 and 13 points for Downers South.
Ormand Osborne hit three 3-pointers in scoring game-high 15 points for St. Charles North. Anthony Delisi scored 11 points for the North Stars.
Schroeder and Hammer added 9 apiece and Jarod Karom scored 8 points for the North Stars.
"We have to do the little things right," Karom said.
Alibegovic and Clifford combined for five 3-pointers to give Downers South a 41-37 lead at the halftime intermission.