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Boys Basketball: Aaron Simpson helps North Chicago pull away
Updated: December 10, 2011 11:22PM
Aaron Simpson hit his first six shots of the second half to key an 18-4 run that ignited North Chicago past visiting Vernon Hills 77-65 on Saturday in a North Suburban Prairie game.
The Warhawks (5-1 overall, 3-0 in the division) left the court at halftime tied with the Cougars (4-4, 1-1) at 36-36.
But Simpson came out on fire in the second half and the Hawks led by as many as 20 points in the fourth quarter at 70-50.
“If we ever deserved to lose a game, this was the night we should have lost,” said North Chicago coach Gerald Coleman. “We played with no intensity. They outhustled us. They outworked us. They were more prepared than us.
“It won’t happen again. They won’t come this close again. My guys will have to start taking games seriously. I know they’re going to play against Waukegan. I know they’re going to play against Warren.
“But that’s not going to get us to Peoria. We have to take every game like it’s Warren or it’s Crane. That’s how we have to play.”
Simpson finished with 33 points on 13-of-23 shooting (4-of-10 behind the arc). He also had nine assists.
“I felt I had to pick it up after halftime,” said Simpson. “I feel the offense starts with me and our defense starts with me. If I play hard, my teammates will play hard. That’s what we did in the second half.
The Vernon Hills star was guard Darren Hoveydai, who had 32 points. He was 9-of-11 from the field and 12-for-12 from the free-throw line.
Hoveydai didn’t miss a shot in the first half and had 18 points.
Marzhon Bryant added 16 points and JaVairius Amos-Mays eight for the Hawks.
Trent Fulton had 10 points and seven rebounds for Vernon Hills.
“I was proud of our effort,” said Cougars coach Matt McCarty. “The guys battled back. I think we walk out of here with our heads high.”
North Chicago’s next game is on Friday night at Lakes, which beat the Warhawks there last season.
Vernon Hills will host Wauconda the same night.
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