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North Shore Country Day ends Westminster's season

Cheers erupted from the 20-person Westminster Christian student section and the 30-member pep band when their team finally scored in Tuesday's Class 1A regional opener.

The drive by junior guard Abalus Awudu gave the hosts their first points after nine minutes and 40 seconds of trying.

The cheers were equally loud and genuine two minutes later when sophomore Justin Glanzer cut the Warriors' deficit to 28-8 on his second consecutive 3-pointer.

Unfortunately for fans of No. 11 Westminster Christian, those were among the few cheerable moments the Warriors provided in an otherwise frustrating 67-37 season-ending loss to No. 5 North Shore Country Day Tuesday.

The visitors from Winnetka pitched a 16-0 shutout in the first quarter. NSCD opened the game with full-court pressure.

"We couldn't handle the pressure and it went from there," Awudu said. "We were struggling to execute our sets and our plays, so we couldn't really hit them in the mouth for the first few minutes of the game. They knew what they wanted and they executed."

NSCD junior John Sprenger capped the first quarter with a 3-pointer followed by a putback. The Raiders extended their lead to 20-0 before Awudu dented the scoreboard for the Warriors.

Westminster Christian (9-19) took the floor without head coach Damion Abrams, who was ineligible to participate by rule after picking up two technical fouls in the regular-season finale.

The Raiders led 42-19 at halftime. Their 61-29 lead through three quarters forced a running clock in the final period.

The win advances North Shore Country Dave to a regional semifinal against No. 3 Harvest Christian Academy (18-12) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Harvest Christian defeated Lycee Francais de Chicago 65-28 in the first game of the doubleheader.

"Coach said they're a tough team and they play a 3-2 zone," Sprenger said of the Lions. "We just have to be ready for that. Our point guard has to control the ball and everyone has to play to their best potential."

Glanzer finished with a team-best 12 points for Westminster Christian.

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