Downers Grove North was the most effective groups within the state the previous two seasons. Jack Stanton bombed three-pointers and the Trojans’ lockdown protection defeated among the best-known packages within the space.
The faces have modified, however the legacy of these groups lives on. Downers Grove North’s protection stays one of many space’s most constantly dominant models.
“Their depth is difficult to simulate,” Rolling Meadows guard Jack Duffer mentioned. “They make it appear to be the center is open then you definately attempt to get in they usually converge. They’re deep sufficient which you can’t take nook threes. And that’s considered one of our strengths.”
The Trojans have been pretty much as good as ever on protection on Saturday in Buffalo Grove, which makes Rolling Meadows’ 39-37 comeback win all of the extra spectacular.
Downers Grove North (12-4) led by 9 late within the third quarter. Lazar Lazarevic’s three-pointer with 6:55 left put the Mustangs (13-2) forward for the primary time within the sport at 31-30 they usually by no means surrendered the lead.
The Trojans had a number of pictures on the ultimate possession to tie or win the sport however nothing fell.
Downers Grove North went greater than 13 minutes with no discipline aim throughout one stretch of the second half.
“That’s the place our inconsistency has come this season, on the offensive finish,” Downers Grove North coach Jim Thomas mentioned. “We didn’t handle the ball. It’s my fault. I shortened the bench and screwed up the depth. Our guys have been drained and if you find yourself drained in highschool you don’t execute and performance the identical and we had a dry spell.”
Rolling Meadows star Ian Miletic completed with 14 factors and 7 rebounds. It was a tough, bodily sport and at one level he even took an inadvertent kick to the top whereas on the bottom.
“We didn’t know [the refs] would allow us to play that a lot however you need to regulate,” Miletic mentioned. “They let a variety of issues slide. It’s a superb factor to see the way you reply as a workforce.”
Miletic has signed with Marquette. The 6-7 senior is considered one of simply two high-major seniors within the space, so he’s a marked man each sport.
“He’s been getting that lots however dealt with it actual properly,” Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich mentioned. “Final yr it might have bothered him a little bit bit however now he simply performs by means of it. That’s a part of his maturity now.”
Lazarevic scored eight factors off the bench. Rolling Meadows was ranked within the preseason and fell out after an early loss to Evanston. Now the Mustangs have received 10 of their final 11, the one loss coming to Metamora.
“I like this group,” Katovich mentioned. “They’re all the time able to go. We’ve guys on the bench that might most likely begin. They settle for the position of what they do. They’re an actual pleasure to be round. They make you need to work more durable due to how exhausting they work.”
Bobby Grganto, a 6-6 senior, led Downers Grove North with 19 factors.
The Trojans have been higher than anybody anticipated this season and may proceed to enhance. That is the primary season of main varsity minutes for a lot of the workforce, although it’s senior-heavy.
“In our losses, we’re capturing 22% from three and we have been 2 for 16 tonight,” Thomas mentioned. “Throw in one other two threes they usually have to protect you on the market and stretch it. There’s one other gear we will get to this season.”
