Krieger gets hot in Tigers win

Plainfield North's basketball program took its first step into the spotlight

two years ago at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament, when Reggie Lemon and the

Tigers upset top-ranked Waukegan and Jereme Richmond.

"Pontiac is a big deal for the team," Plainfield North senior Jack Krieger

said. "We have a reputation to uphold since that team really established us

here."

Things weren't looking good for the Tigers' chances to advance Tuesday in

the first round against Bloomington, but after a particularly blistering

vocal attack from coach Nick DiForti during a timeout, Plainfield North

jumped in front of the Purple Raiders and held on to win 56-47.

"Coach calls us soft a lot, that wasn't anything new," Krieger said. "But I

guess we did respond to it."

The timeout came with the Tigers trailing 42-38 and 6:11 to play. Plainfield

North responded by closing out the game with an 18-5 run, not allowing

Bloomington a single field goal.

"We were trying to play their game - which we obviously can't," DiForti said.

"Once we started playing our style a little more we were effective."

Krieger scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds, he shot 7-for-18 from

the floor.

"Jack is a good player and this year he's turned into a leader," DiForti

said.

Jeremy Bert scored eight for Plainfield North (10-2) and Marcus Fair and

Kyle Palandech each added seven points.

"It was winning ugly," DiForti said. "We've been doing that all year. You

look across the court during warm-ups and you don't think much of us. If

you'd have told us we'd be 10-2 at the start of the season I'd have thought

you were joking."

Bloomington had a size-advantage all over the court, but the Tigers still

won the battle of the boards 42-36, led by Krieger's nine and eight from

Palandech and Jake Ready.

"As the year has gone on everyone has started to contribute a lot more,"

Krieger said. "It's really starting to take a lot of the load off of

me-which is really good."

Point guard Cairie Brown led Bloomington with 20 points and six rebounds.

Plainfield North will face the winner of the Peoria Manual vs. Joliet West

game in the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.

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