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Smart, Pirates get the jump on Noble Street

Palatine sophomore guard Roosevelt Smart showed why Palatine fans have a reason to be excited about this year’s Palatine boys basketball team.

The 6-foot-2 Smart hit for a career-high 25 points on 11-for-15 shooting to give the Pirates a 68-30 win over Noble Street from Chicago at the Ed Molitor Thanksgiving Tournament at Palatine.

“He stayed within himself tonight,” said Pirates coach Eric Millstone. “He let things come to him tonight, he finished around the basket and had good shot selection. One of the biggest things was that he got the other players involved. That’s when we become a good team.”

A basket underneath by Josh Baldus broke a early 4-4 tie with 4:46 left in the first quarter and the Pirates (2-0) never trailed.

Smart then converted his own miss to complete a 3 point play and accepted a pass from Jordan Jarrett for a layup off a steal.

Jason Jablonski scored off a turnover as did Smart as Palatine led 15-4 at the end of the first quarter.

Na’Jee Tate (8 points) scored the first basket of the quarter for the Golden Tigers. The Pirates then put together an 18-0 run with Smart scoring 7 points during the spurt which included a slam dunk and a 33-6 lead at halftime.

“My teammates played some great defense and that helped me alot,” said Smart. “Because of that work we got some easy baskets. We have some good experience on this team. We’ve been very comfortable playing with each other.”

Smart received some good backing from Greg Grana (9 points) and Jarrett (7 points). Baldus (5 rebounds) and Andy Macahon each had 6 points.

Noble street was led by Ray’Shon Smith with 10 points.

“Smart was really smooth tonight,” said Noble Street coach Kyle Feuerbach. “He did a great job inside and outside. What impressed me the most was his two-dribble pull-up shot. He got good elavation on it. Not too many high school players can do that.”

Palatine figures to have its hands full Friday at 5:30 p.m. when the Pirates face last year’s tournament champion Waubonsie Valley (2-0) and standout player Jared Brownridge.

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