Delisi, St. Charles North upend Downers South
Anthony Delisi utterly wreaked havoc for the Downers Grove South boys basketball team Friday in St. Charles.
In fourth-day action of the Ron Johnson Holiday Tournament, the St. Charles North guard was at the heart of the North Stars' stifling first-quarter defense.
Downers South missed its first 12 shots from the field, and the North Stars scored an equal number of unanswered points to begin the game.
Dylan Kaczmmarek would have a 3-point play to end the Mustangs' drought, but it proved to be the last time Downers South would come within double digits.
The North Stars cruised into the championship game for the first time in three years, where they will meet city and conference rival St. Charles East, after their 61-43 victory.
Delisi had all 3 of his steals in the first quarter, grabbed 6 rebounds from his guard position and added game-highs in points and assists with 20 and 8, respectively.
"We just want our defense to create our offense really," Delisi said. "We were able to get stops, get boards and get runouts. We knew going into the game that Downers Grove South is a good team, and we just wanted to play harder than them."
Kyle King, who scored 14 points to augment a game-high 12 rebounds, had consecutive first-quarter field goals for St. Charles North, which opened the game with 16 of the first 19 points.
"First off, I thought the start of the game was exactly what we needed," St. Charles North coach Tom Poulin said. "We talked about starting fast. We did that with our defense and on the boards. Anthony, he's got the reins and he's in control."
Delisi and Erik Larson had two 3-pointers apiece for St. Charles North, which led 31-12 late in the second quarter.
But Downers South (2-1) scored the final 7 points of the second quarter for a glimmer of hope at the break.
It did not last long.
With Cade Callaghan (10 points) also in double figures for St. Charles North, the North Stars had repeated 20-point-plus leads throughout the second half.
David Roubalik had 10 points to lead Downers South.
"Give them credit," Downers South coach Kris Olson said. "They came out ready to play and put us on our heels."