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Boys Basketball: Glenbrook North shuts down Highland Park
Glenbrook North's Kurt Karis (10) goes up against Highland Park's Danny Dlugie (5)and Josh Sterns (21)
| Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 3, 2012 11:38PM
Kurt Karis scored 11 of his game-high 16 points in the first quarter, as Glenbrook North totally shut down Highland Park’s offense in a 44-20 Central Suburban North victory Friday night in Highland Park.
Karis sank two straight three-pointers to begin the game and from that point forward it was a swarming, intense Glenbrook North (15-5, 6-2) defense. The Spartans shut out Highland Park (12-9, 4-4) in the first quarter, grabbing a 17-0 lead. Highland Park was 0-10 from the field in the opening eight minutes with 9 turnovers.
“I’ve coached a long time (15 years at GBN), but I don’t know if I’ve seen anything like that,” Glenbrook North coach David Weber said. “We were unbelievable. We were just so focused defensively.”
“They imposed their will on us,” Highland Park coach Paul Harris said.
Things didn’t get much better for the host Giants, as they trailed 26-7 at halftime. Highland Park almost endured another scoreless quarter, failing to dent the scoreboard in the third quarter until Jake Norcia threw up a shot at the buzzer from just inside half court that went in for a 36-10 Spartans lead.
“We jumped on them,” Karis said. “They didn’t match our intensity level.”
One of the highlights for Glenbrook North was the return to the court by 6-8 center Andrew McAuliffe, who had missed the past eight weeks with a knee injury. He entered the game in the first quarter and quickly hit a 15-footer and grabbed a couple of rebounds. McAuliffe had averaged over 17 points per game prior to his injury.
“It was fun, but it’s still kind of frustrating,” McAuliffe said. “I’m still trying to get back into it. It’s going to be a process.”
McAuliffe finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
Highland Park was led by Norcia, who scored 10 points (3 three-pointers), while Ross Chukerman led all rebounders with 11 boards. Trevor Ponticelli scored 7 points, while Adam Chick and Mark Johnson each had 6 for Glenbrook North. Karis and Johnson each had 5 rebounds, while Chick contributed 4 steals.
The Giants entered the game averaging just over 10 turnovers per contest, but were forced into 17 by Glenbrook North.
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