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Fast start helps St. Patrick knock off Niles West
Niles West's Cory Dolins scores against Glenbrook South during the boys basketball game on January 5, 2012. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
Updated: January 16, 2012 4:46PM
St. Patrick came out firing Saturday and the Shamrocks blasted Niles West 62-45.
St. Patrick (7-7), which has had an up and down season thus far, found themselves on the upswing, scoring the game’s first 12 points. After missing their the first shot, the Shamrocks converted their next eight, including four from beyond the arc, three of those from Loren Horton.
“I only shoot when I am open,” Horton said. “And I was open early thanks to our point guard Royale Ewing. He had everyone in the right place.”
St. Patrick led 20-6 after the first quarter. Niles West (2-13) made a run in the second quarter as the Wolves closed to 26-17 with 2:45 left in the first half on a trey by CJ Dimaano (11 points).
The Shamrocks continued their torrid shooting finishing 16-of-22 including 7 of 9 outside the arc. St. Patrick closed the half with a 13-1 run, including the final nine points for a 39-18 lead.
“We are young and inconsistent at times,” St. Patrick coach Mike Bailey said. “We have played lots of close games. They key is getting this young team to win some of them.”
St. Patrick led 52-26 late in the third quarter when Niles West made it a little bit exciting. Led by Ahmad Gibson (12 points), Dimaano and DJ Harris (7 points), the Wolves went on a 19-4 run to close to 56-45 with 3:42 to play. But that was as close as Niles West would get.
“This has been a microcosm of the whole season,” Niles West coach Bob Williams said. “We are searching for some consistency. But there is no quit in our kids.”
Parish McCullum led St. Patrick with 16 points, Ismar Seferagic had 11 points and Elijah Watson finished with 10 points.
