Streamwood runs past South Elgin

Sophomore guard Richard Santiago calls Streamwood's style of run-and-gun basketball "super fun."

Streamwood coach Kent Payne calls the frenetic pace "exhausting, for the kids and the coach."

After host Streamwood bolted to the early lead and cruised to an 82-69 Upstate Eight Conference win Friday, South Elgin coach Brett Johnson described the Sabres' one-pass-then-shoot approach as "hard to prepare for."

Streamwood (3-4, 1-1) led 16-9 after a quarter and 34-22 at halftime after holding South Elgin (3-4, 1-1) to 7-of-23 shooting. The Sabres took the lead by forcing 12 first-half turnovers and winning the rebounding battle 23-15.

"We just came out wanting to win more than them," said Streamwood junior Jakobe Strong.

Johnson couldn't dispute that point after the Sabres grabbed 11 first-half offensive rebounds and forged a 12-point cushion.

"This was the first game that we as coaching staff don't feel like the effort was completely there for all four quarters," Johnson said. "The first half it wasn't. It was lackadaisical. If we give effort, I think we're in this game at the end but it took a whole half to get to that stage."

The Sabres, who score 74.3 points per game, finished with five players in double figures. Junior guard Zach Marquez led the way with 17 points, including three 3-pointers. Strong scored 16 points and hauled down 16 rebounds. Santiago sank three 3-pointers en route to 16 points. Junior guard Kyle Maybrun had 15 points. Senior guard Larenzo Coney contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds.

The Sabres hit the boards relentlessly. They grabbed 41 rebounds to South Elgin's 31. The offensive rebounds turned into second chances. The defensive rebounds sparked the running game.

"We like to go fast," Strong said. "We don't have an offense. We like to score fast-break points, get the ball and go."

The Storm outscored Streamwood 48-47 in the second half, but the Sabres answered every mini-run with points. They shot 14 of 28 from the field after halftime.

"The second half we came out really strong," Marquez said. "We just had to pick that energy back up from the beginning of the third quarter, play as a team, play for each other and hustle. And we got the win."

South Elgin sophomore forward Kendis Wiley led all scorers with 24 points. He led the Storm with 11 rebounds. Junior John Aaron Wafford scored all 13 of his points in the second half. Sophomore Drew Cwik scored 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting.