Statement victory for Bowman

Updated: March 23, 2011 3:52PM

Bowman coach Marvin Rea said his Eagles read the paper on the hype surrounding the Class 1A sectional semifinal duel between the Eagles and top ranked Kouts and how the media expected a close game.

So what was Rea's response to the Eagles' dominant win to punch their ticket to their third straight sectional final?

"With all the tough games we played and all we heard was Kouts this and Kouts that, our kids took it personal," Rea said. "With all due respect to Kouts because they are a well-coached team, we don't listen to the media or the fans or the parents. You don't really want to hear my thoughts about how the game turned out."

Actually, Rae never had to say a word. The scoreboard spoke it for him loud and clear: this was business as well as personal.

DeJuan Marrero had 25 points and 22 boards as the Eagles blasted Kouts 97-54 for their sixth straight win, the last two being their most impressive of the season. In their sectional quarterfinal win over LaCrosse, Marrero was mostly a spectator, sitting out the second half after a nine-point first half.

The rest must have done him good because Marrero recorded a double-double in the first half, helping the Eagles shake off an early 6-5 Kouts lead with a 19-4 run to take a 25-9 lead after one and it was an early game, set, match afterwards.

"It shows we're still the defending Class 1A champions and we're still the best," said Marrero who had 13 points and 11 rebounds at the half to go along with six steals and five blocked shots. We're starting to play well and we're getting our chemistry together. We put it all together tonight. We wanted to show that to everyone who came here to see Kouts win."

Those who did were disappointed early and if it weren't for guard Matt Bradley, it would have been worse. The junior guard scored Kouts' (19-3) first seven points and closed with a 30-point outing.

"I'm awfully proud of this group," said coach Marty Gaff. "It wasn't a good game for us tonight but we had a great year. To win a PCC tournament makes it an awfully special year."

Another Eagles player who sat out most of the win over LaCrosse and a teammate who hasn't played all season were in the spotlight. Elijah Ray added a team-high 27 points for Bowman (13-10) while Stephan Hawkins, who transfered from River Forest before this season, showed rust in his debut.

Hawkins, who started Friday night, missed his first four shots but wound up with 11 points in limited playing time.

"I'm really proud of my team because we're working hard and are gradually working to accomplish our goal," Ray said.

The night's drama came from Morgan Township's 68-66 win over Whiting with the Oilers having two chances to either win or tie the game in the final 15 seconds.

The first time they missed a straight on three pointer and the second time, they threw the ball away allowing the Cherokees to run the clock out.

Brandon Gruble had a game high 23 points while Ryan Klikos added 19 for Morgan Township(18-4)who beat Whiting 51-38 last month.

Elloit Bajda led Whiting(12-9) with 18 points while Giovanni Cruz added 15.

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