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Boys Basketball: Big run leads Maine West past Highland Park
Highland Park senior Ross Chukerman (4) takes a jump shot over the Maine West defense during the home game on Friday, January 13, 2012. Maine West defeated Highland Park 45-27.
| michael jarecki ~ for Sun-Times Media
Kevin Garcia scored 17 points and Tom Kukec came off the bench to score 15, as Maine West throttled Highland Park 45-27 Friday night in Highland Park. Garcia netted five three-pointers, while Kukec hit three from long distance.
Maine West (8-7, 3-2) held Highland Park (9-7, 3-2) to 10-for-37 field-goal shooting (27 percent).
“Defensively this was our best effort of the season,” Maine West coach Erik McNeill said. “Offensively we made shots.”
The Warriors finished 18-for-35 from the field (51 percent), including 8-for-11 from behind the arc.
Highland Park appeared to take control early when Josh Sterns hit two three-pointers to put the Giants up 8-2 in the Central Suburban League North contest. But Maine West then went on a 33-4 run to take a 35-12 lead midway through the second quarter.
“We ran into a buzz-saw,” Highland Park coach Paul Harris said. “They were very sharp.”
Garcia had nine points and Kukec eight during the decisive run.
The Warriors win was punctuated by back-to-back two-handed dunks by Conor Hart (nine points) in the third quarter. The first one came off a steal he made and burst down the court all alone.
“It is one of the great feelings in basketball to be able to do that,” Hart said with a big smile.
Danny Dlugie led the Giants with 13 points, eight of which came in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers. But even with Deluge’s hot shooting, the Giants could get no closer than 16 points in the final period. Maine West outrebounded Highland Park 24-16, as Garcia grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
The victory moves Maine West into a second place tie with Highland Park in the CSL North, one game behind conference-leading Glenbrook North.
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