Boys Basketball: Highland Park’s long shots doom Grant

Updated: December 3, 2011 11:02PM

Jake Norcia scored 27 points and Highland Park knocked down 10 three-pointers en route to a 58-38 thumping of host Grant on Saturday in a nonconference game.

The Giants (4-2) took command of the game in the second period, advancing the score from 9-7 to 25-13 at intermission.

“Our strengths are shooting the ‘three’ and defense,” said Norcia, a senior guard who had five of the treys. “We did both well tonight.”

Highland Park was coming off a 47-31 win over Maine East on Friday, and Giants coach Paul Harris was pleased with the way his team came right back in top form on Saturday.

“It’s a challenge to get back-to-back wins,” the coach said. “The team really executed our offense tonight and I was really pleased with our play.

“We were giving up size and quickness, so the plan was to keep the game in the 40’s, where we like to play.”

As for Norcia, Harris was thrilled to see that kind of play from his veteran.

“Jake gave us a big lift tonight early on, and in the second half to extend the lead,” the coach said.

Danny Dlugie added four three-pointers for the Giants for his 12 points.

On the other side, Grant (3-3) had a tough weekend, losing a 100-80 shootout to North Chicago on Friday, and then having to play a completely different type of team 24 hours later.

Alan Lewis had 11 points for Grant. Jared Helmich had eight.

“We had no intensity tonight. We didn’t come to play,” said Grant coach Wayne Bosworth.

“Give HP credit. They did a great job knocking down the open shots tonight. They out-executed us.”

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