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Boys Basketball: Proviso East blows by Warren
Updated: February 18, 2012 9:05PM
Proviso East’s first four minutes Saturday were phenomenal, The Pirates completely overwhelmed one of the best teams in the state with pure effort, determination, talent and ability. They contested every pass and fought for every held ball.
Warren eventually settled in and learned to deal with Proviso East’s speed, but the Blue Devils could never make up the early deficit and the Pirates held on for a 73-66 win in the City/Suburban Showdown at Proviso West.
The first quarter run was only 11-2, but even a run that modest is rare against the Blue Devils, especially to open a game.
“That was big,” Proviso East coach Donnie Boyce said. “We’ve consistently jumped on teams and got them off rhythm.”
Proviso East guard Keith Carter led the charge with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
“I think we rattled them early,” Carter said. “But then we eased up and let them back in the game.”
Darius Paul’s three with 1:52 to play pulled Warren within 65-63, but Sterling Brown immediately responded with a three-point play and the Pirates shot 5-for-6 from the line from then on to ice the win.
“These are the games when you find out what kind of character you have, what kind of team you have,” Boyce said.
Warren owned the boards, out-rebounding Proviso East 45-22, but the Pirates harassed the Blue Devils into a season-high 18 turnovers.
“We got behind early and made several runs but it wasn’t good enough,” Warren coach Chuck Ramsey said. “The turnovers and poor defense in the first half hurt us.”
Paris Lee also scored 17 for Proviso East (24-0) and Michael Nicholas added 10. Brandon Jenkins scored eight, including two crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
“[Warren] is very big, very skilled down low,” Carter said. “They take care of the ball better than any other team we’ve played.”
Paul led Warren with 19 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Jon Geske and JoVaughn Gaines each scored 13 and Mitch Munda finished with 10 for the Blue Devils (21-3).
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