Palatine powers past Elgin
As efficiently as Palatine played Saturday afternoon in its 84-49 win over Elgin at the Lake Zurich MLK Tournament, the Pirates know they have to play better.
Palatine (12-6) was gearing up for a 7 p.m. prime-timer later in the day against the host Bears, a tall, slick-shooting bunch who ran Carmel off the floor earlier in this two-game-a-day event that carries into Monday.
The Pirates showed they were ready to compete against a game but outmanned Elgin (5-12) squad. Palatine ran out to a 45-17 halftime lead on the strength of forcing 16 turnovers out of the Maroons and shooting the lights out. Justin Chaney (15 points) did his usual thing from the perimeter, complemented by R.J. Smith and Michael E. Williams, who dominated the inside game. Smith's steal and 3-point play closed the first quarter at 21-7 for the Pirates.
Everyone got into the act as the bench gave the starters some much-needed rest in a crowded slate of seven games in five days all told, including Thursday's MSL West loss to Conant. Chris Refka hit a pair of 3-pointers and finished with 12 points and Ryan Frankel, Matt Mayer, Charlie Van Dyke, Jovone Stricker and Kevin Burke all played hard, effectively and cracked the box score.
"Anytime you can get a win and everybody plays, it's good," said Millstone. "To be able to get all 16 kids in really helped."
The young, inexperienced Maroons got an energetic performance from guard Desmond Douglas (13 points) and a 3-point shooting spree from Arturo Valenzuela (15), but couldn't muster much offense, committing more turnovers than they scored baskets.
Elgin is back in action against Lake Zurich at 11:30 a.m. Monday, and again Monday at 5:30 p.m. against Niles North.
Palatine's Monday games are Streamwood (10 a.m.) and Marian Central (4 p.m.).