Boys Basketball: Kaneland hits boards, beats Burlington Central

Updated: January 7, 2012 11:32PM

Kaneland made it a point to attack the offensive glass to create second-chance opportunities on Saturday night against host Burlington Central. That aggressiveness around the rim is what propelled the Knights to a 65-46 nonconference win.

Kaneland (10-5) scored 20 second-chance points, all of which came during the first three quarters, to frustrate Rockets defensively.

“They did a good job of going after the basket,” said Central coach Brett Porto. “I thought we played fairly good defense, especially in the first half, but once you give them second-chance opportunities your defense is collapsed and you’re out of rotation.”

Kaneland’s Marcel Neil did most of the damage. The senior finished with game-high 18 points and 12 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds. In what was a back-and-forth game through much of the first half, his two baskets during the final 30 second of the half helped the Knights distance themselves from Central as they went into the break up 30-25.

“He can get his own shot,” said Kaneland coach Brian Johnson. “Sometimes he settles for outside jumpers and his jumper hasn’t been falling lately so he did a nice job of mixing it up, and he’s a very good rebounder. When he mixes it up he’s pretty effective.”

Sophomore Drew David (15 points) and junior Matt Limbrunner (12 points) also reached double figures in scoring as the Knights shot 44 percent (24-for-54) from the floor, and outrebounded the Rockets 33-26.

“The whole game I thought we were attacking the glass and it’s something we really have to do because we’re not the tallest team,” Johnson said. “We need to take advantage when we’re playing a team that’s pretty much our size.”

Kaneland quickly turned its five-point halftime lead into a 10-point lead after David hit a three-pointer and Thomas Williams sank a pair of free throws to begin the third quarter. Up 44-34 after three quarters, the Knights opened the fourth on a 7-1 run for a 51-35 lead with 5:00 remaining to help put the game away as they shot a perfect 6-for-6 in the frame and also finished the game 14-of-15 from the line.

Kaneland keyed in on Central senior standout Ray Hunnicut and junior Ryan Ritchie throughout the game and held them relatively in-check. Hunnicut tallied a team-high 12 points and Ritchie added 11 points as the two combined to shoot 9 of 25 (36 percent) from the floor.

“We still haven’t figured it out on how to run a good offense in a situation when you have to screen and screen and screen,” Porto said. “We’re still not experienced enough or haven’t put it together enough in the fact that’s it’s not going to be the first or second option.”

The Rockets (8-8) shot 36 percent (17-for-49) from the field.

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