Palatine dumps Hoffman

Six-foot-four senior David Balanganayi gave Palatine a spark early in the first quarter with a long 3-pointer than barely rippled the net as it swished through.

The Pirates' defense, and 6-6 sophomore Julian Campbell on the inside, took it from there.

Guard Luke Seiffert scored 10 points in the first period, and the Palatine defense held home-standing Hoffman Estates to 19 points through the initial three quarters.

That and a ton of energy from the get-go led the visiting Pirates to 52-32 Mid-Suburban West victory over the Hawks.

"We're stepping up as a team," said Palatine senior Marshawn Rayford, who helped lead the visitor's defensive effort. "Our coach (Eric Millstone) instills in us to keep our feet moving on 'D', keep our hands high, and just play hard."

Campbell scored a game-high 14 points for the Pirates while Vatsal Pandya had 11 for Hoffman.

"I thought our energy was really low tonight and that effects everything that we do," said Hoffman coach Luke Yanule. "Energy is one of the pillars of our Hawks way and tonight we didn't compete."

Balanganayi's 3 gave Palatine a 7-point lead early in the opening stanza.

"I just had the confidence that if I shot the ball it would go in," said the senior of the momentum-boosting 3-pointer. "This is the style we play, come out with a lot of energy."

Junior Josh Rivera added a 3 in the 2nd stanza as Palatine, (11-16, 4-6) built a 29-13 halftime advantage.

Then Campbell took over after intermission.

Playing a strong game on both ends of the court and scoring 10 points in the paint in the 3rd, Campbell lifted the Pirates to a 43-19 lead after 3.

"Coaches were telling me (at halftime) that I had to work harder for the ball and get up and finish," said the sophomore. "I wanted my teammates to get me the ball. They're the reason that I do what I do, and I was able to score the ball when I had to."

The teams traded buckets in the 4th, but Palatine went on a run and when Seiffert sank his 3rd 3 of the game, the Pirates led 50-25.

Pandya had 4 points in the final period but the Hawks couldn't get any closer than the final score.

Hoffman senior Philip Ziecina, one of the Hawks honorees on Senior Night, scored 8 points; classmate Marquez Woodard had 8 points as well; while junior Nate Fisher collected 8 boards.

Seiffert finished with 13 for Palatine, Tommy Swanson added 6, while Ben Storm and Rayford each scored 4.

"I thought we had some good bounce," said Millstone. "We knew we had to because any time you're a visitor on senior night, you know the other team is going to bring it. They (Hoffman) were a little short-handed, but we knew whoever Luke put out there was going to play hard, because that's what they do."

"I thought Julian (Campbell) asserted himself in the second half and made some decisive moves."