Maine West gets shot at CSL North title
Maine West used a quick-start offense and a smothering defense to stop Highland Park 59-44 in Des Plaines Friday night.
The Warriors' win allows them to keep their hopes alive of earning a share of the Central Suburban North boys basketball race. Deerfield (15-10, 7-2) edged Vernon Hills in overtime; Maine West (14-7, 6-3) will play next at Deerfield and needs a win to tie for the division title.
Maine West hit three 3-point baskets to start the game against Highland Park. Jack Framke, Julian Dones and Stefan Balaban all connected from long range.
Dones' basket gave the junior guard his 1,000th career point.
The Warriors converted 6 turnovers by the Giants into 6 points to help build their 13-2 lead going into the second quarter.
For the game, Maine West scored 15 points off 18 turnovers by Highland Park (12-11, 6-3). The Warriors had 12 turnovers off which the Giants scored 4 points.
"Our ball pressure early on really helped our defense," Framke said. "We made a goal for ourselves after the loss to Hersey that we wanted to limit teams to 12 points a quarter.
"We really came out with intensity. We wanted to win this one. We have a real high confidence level. The Deerfield loss helps us out a lot toward the conference race."
"When they hit those early 3-pointers, that got them going," said Highland Park coach Paul Harris. "Those plays helped them accelerate their game and that had an impact.
"In the last game we played (Highland Park won 75-70 in overtime) we were sharp. Their defense just didn't give us a chance to run. They were very physical under the boards. We just tried to do things to fast. "
Both teams played even in the second quarter (8 points apiece) and Maine West led 21-10 at the break.
The Warriors came out of the second half with Jon Beaver and Framke scoring to take a 25-10 lead.
Highland Park junior guard Daniel Michelon tired to keep up with Maine West by scoring 13 of his team-high 16 points in the quarter.
The Warriors built a 45-26 lead going into the final quarter.
Maine West also won the battle of the boards with a 23-19 rebounding advantage.
"Yes, I'd say the loss to Hersey wasn't just a wake-up call," said Maine West Tom Prokopij. "It was a like a marching band coming out of the closest, blaring away at 3 in the morning.
"We wanted to jump out at them early. Highland Park likes to run long sets and then try to find a backdoor layup. We were able to push their offense out further and it made it more difficult."
Kent scored 9 points, Balaban had eight to go with 5 rebounds. Matt Kentgen also scored 8. Faraz Bashir scored 6 points with two 3-pointers in the second quarter to keep Maine West going.
"We need to keep this type of intensity going," said Balaban, a senior. "Our offense was in a good flow. We attacked their 2-2-1 defense with our 1-2-2 offense. We were able to get good looks. Our problem at times is that we play at our opponents level. We know we can be better than what we have shown."
"This was an exciting win for us," Prokopij said.