Team effort lifts Dundee-Crown at Dayton Classic

Lance Huber likes it when he sees multiple players delivering key plays, and that's what the Dundee-Crown coach got Thursday in the first round of the 92nd annual Chuck Dayton Holiday Classic in DeKalb.

Douglas Miller Jr., scored 17 points, Kyle Huber finished with 15, Josh Harris and Justin Prusko both scored 9 and Kennon Cook chipped in 7 in the Chargers' 64-39 win over Belvidere North.

Dundee-Crown (6-3) will play No. 1 seed Oswego at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.

"We had a lot of contributors and when we win we have to have contributions from a lot of guys," Lance Huber said. "We don't really have superstars."

The Blue Thunder (5-6) scored the first four points of the game. After a slow start Miller scored on a layup, the start of a 9-0 run to end the first quarter, and Dundee-Crown never trailed again.

Huber's jumper, a layup by Prusko, and Huber's 3, a drive while being fouled and Huber's assist to Miller opened a 23-14 lead. Cook capped the first half with a no-look pass to a cutting Prusko who laid the ball in just before the buzzer for a 27-18 halftime lead.

"We kept it going and never gave up the lead," Kyle Huber said. "Once I got the first one to fall and those two free throws really helped me get in a rhythm. This was a good step for us going forward."

Prusko got into foul trouble in the third quarter. The 6-foot-5 Harris entered and scored all 9 of his points in the second half, going 4-for-4 from the field.

"Eighteen points from our post guys really opens it up for our outside guys," Lance Huber said. "Josh gives us a little bit of energy and excitement. He's a character for sure, a free spirit. He doesn't get too upset about much."

Miller scored his final points on a layup early in the fourth quarter. The Chargers shot 53.2% (25 for 47) from the field, committed only 8 turnovers and held the Blue Thunder to 29.3% shooting.

"Last year this was a really good turning point for me," Miller said. "I wasn't playing much and got put in and had a good game and from there I was playing a lot more. I think we're ready for this tournament."