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Motivated Larkin comes from behind, beats Streamwood

Deryn Carter insisted he wasn't trying to motivate his team.

The Larkin coach was hit with 2 technical fouls early in the second half. After he left the court, the Royals roared back from a 10-point deficit and went on to beat Streamwood 70-59 in an Upstate Eight matchup at the Palace.

Dontrell Maxie had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Fernando Perez, Jr. scored 15, Trace Boley 14 and Damari Wheeler-Thomas 12 for the Royals (6-3, 6-2).

Carter got his first technical for arguing a blocking call against Larkin's DJ Jones. When he continued to protest, he was T'd up a second time. Kyle Maybrun made 4 of 6 free throws, and Jakobe Strong nailed a jumper on the ensuing possession to put the Sabres up 44-32.

The Royals proceeded to score the next 13 points, going ahead on a bucket by Perez. Streamwood regained the lead on a driving layup by Richard Santiago, but a pair of Boley free throws put the Royals ahead to stay. They continued to pull away throughout the fourth quarter.

"After that we just needed to bring the energy on defense and offense for the win," Boley said. "Especially after that double-tech, we really wanted to win and bring the energy to them."

"Our coach, he usually gets the fire going for us," said Maxey. "So when he left it was like, 'OK, we've got to pick it up ourselves.'"

The Royals led 16-9 after one quarter on senior night, but their energy level seemed to fall a bit while being outscored 29-16 in the second quarter and the Sabres continued to take the fight to them to open the second half.

But after Carter's ejection, the Royals really ramped it up.

"The first "T," I was pretty conscious that it was going to happen, but never, ever did I intend to get a second one, because I've got to sit the next game for that one," Carter said. "But I don't know the last time I've been as proud of the guys. My assistant, coach [Jon] Winters did an unbelievable job. The guys responded. I'm watching on YouTube, and the way they responded was unbelievable."

Maybrun scored 22 points for Streamwood, but didn't score after making the 4 free throws and eventually fouled out. Strong added 18 for the Sabres. Darrell Luce chipped in 9 points and 7 rebounds.

"The bottom line is, after 44-34, we just got totally outplayed," said Streamwood coach Kent Payne. "Nothing more, nothing less. They just were hungry; they wanted it."

Maxie was a force, getting second chance points and coming up with loose balls.

"I'm not the tallest, I'm not the biggest, I'm not the strongest," he said. "I get my points off energy and effort, so that's what I've got to do."

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