Boys Basketball: Warren scores final 12 points to escape Glenbrook North

Updated: February 11, 2012 11:19PM

Warren outscored visiting Glenbrook North 12-0 in the final 4 minutes, 38 seconds to defeat the Spartans 41-32 on Saturday.

The Blue Devils (19-2) trailed 32-29, the result of scoring 10 total points on 4-of-20 shooting during the middle two quarters.

But after Glenbrook North’s Andrew McAuliffe hit two free throws to put his team up 32-29, the proverbial lid went on the Spartans basket.

They were 0-for-4 from the foul line and 0-for-4 from the field as Warren cranked up the defensive intensity to win going away in Chuck Ramsey’s final home game after 19 years as the Blue Devils’ coach.

“I was thinking about that (last home game) a little bit (after the game), but I also was trying to figure out what we did down the stretch,” he said. “We finished the game well ... 12-0 against a great team with great coaching. I was happy with that.”

Down 32-29, JoVaughn Gaines scored on a layup in transition, and Warren took the lead for good on two free throws by Nathan Boothe (11 points, 11 rebounds) with 2:53 left.

Darius Paul hit a jumper with a 1:53 left, Paul converted a three-point play with 1:05 left, Jameris Smith hit two free throws with 41 seconds left and Boothe hit a free throw with 22 seconds left.

“It was our last game here and I didn’t want to lose,” said Paul (11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists). “They had the ball for like 80 percent of the game.

“At the end, we started looking up to the basket and looking for guys coming off screens.

For Glenbrook North (17-6), McAuliffe scored eight points. It was his third game back after suffering a leg injury.

“We had the free throws and we missed the free throws,” Spartans coach Dave Weber said. “We did what we wanted to do. We drove and they fouled us. We missed two front ends (of one-and-ones) and then we missed two more free throws. That was a big turning point in the game.”

Though a non-conference game in the standings, this one mattered to Warren’s seniors, according to Smith.

“Back in fifth grade, we went into double-overtime against them,” the senior guard said. “We were up by four. Adam Chick (now a starting guard for Glenbrook North) hit a three-pointer, JoVaughn was called for a foul, and they ended up winning the game. Ever since then, we haven’t liked them.

“We know all those guys. It’s been a good rivalry. They’re a team we want to beat. Our school has rivalries, but for the Class of 2012, this is our rivalry.”

Warren will play at Lake Zurich on Tuesday night. Glenbrook North has Maine East on Friday, and then will face Waukegan in the Central Suburban League Championship Game.

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