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Boys Basketball: South Elgin’s defense tops Palatine
Updated: December 28, 2011 11:44PM
Backed by a fourth-quarter defensive shutout, South Elgin topped Palatine 43-31 in consolation round action at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York on Wednesday.
Trailing by three points entering the fourth quarter of a defensive dog fight, the Storm (6-6) clamped down when it mattered most and held the Pirates scoreless for the final eight minutes of the game.
“We did a good job knowing where their shooters were in that final quarter, and every shot they got was a tough look,” said South Elgin coach Chaz Taft.
As it was, the Pirates only managed to get off seven shots in the quarter, while also going 0-of-2 from the free-throw line, as the Storm outscored them 15-0 for the quarter to come away with the win.
Things didn’t always look so bright for the Storm though, as it never led in the first half. South Elgin managed to keep it close, though, despite shooting just 7-of-21 in the half, and trailed just 21-17 heading into the break.
Coming out of halftime the Storm looked ready to seize control, as it forced five turnovers and a missed three-pointer on the Pirates first six possessions of the second half.
Meanwhile offensively, Matthew Downing provided a presence down low for the Storm as he scored the first six points of the half and eight total in the third quarter.
Despite all that, the Pirates refused to go away as the lead changed hands five times in the third quarter with the Pirates holding a 31-28 lead heading into the fourth.
The play of the game for the Storm came just after the start of the fourth quarter when Eric Stazy went to the line for the Storm and hit his first free throw, but missed the second.
Off the miss, backup post player Zach Marotta managed to tip the ball out to Jake Maestranzi, who buried a three-pointer, giving the Storm a 32-31 lead with 7:21 to play and providing a spark.
“We got great energy off the bench tonight, and Zach had a fantastic game,” said Taft. “He was active on the glass, and that play where he tipped it out to Jacob really was the turning point in that fourth quarter.”
Offensively, the Storm was led by Darius Wells who had 13 points, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Maestranzi added nine points and hit a pair of three-pointers.
For the Pirates, John Millin led the team with 11 points.
South Elgin advances to today’s 5 p.m. consolation semifinal.
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