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Sachs' big game helps Highland Park sink Libertyville

It seems ludicrous, but it did come up: Was Highland Park's David Sachs going to score all his team's points in the Giants' matchup at Libertyville?

Sachs opened up this regional semifinal with back-to-back 3-pointers. And with less than three minutes to play in the first quarter, the scoreboard could have read: Sachs 10, Libertyville 7.

Sachs didn't really slow down that much. The junior scored a career-high 30 points as the Giants (21-7) eliminated Libertyville 60-50 on Tuesday night.

The Giants will meet Lake Forest for the regional crown Friday night. The Scouts ended Barrington's season 62-49 in the first game of the night.

"I thought both teams played really well,'' said Highland Park coach Paul Harris. "David was just marvelous tonight. He played with a lot of confidence."

For a team that had scored 91 points the night before in routing Mundelein, the Wildcats (15-13) really struggled against Highland Park's zone defense.

"They just play a different style of defense,'' noted 6-foot-10 Libertyville center Joe Borcia. "They really pack it in. Highland Park is a very good team."

Despite the domination by Sachs, the Cats hung with the Giants most of the way. Matt Reed hit the game's first 3-pointer and it looked like the senior was simply staying hot after scoring 31 points against Mundelein. This, however, would be his only score of the contest.

"We had to find Reed,'' Harris said. "He's had such a great year. We just needed to hurry him a little."

Jack Lipp kept his team in the game. The senior had 11 of his 15 points in the first half. Highland Park's lead at the break was 28-24. Sachs had 18 points at halftime.

"That game was as fun as it could be,'' Sachs said. "When I hit those first two 3-pointers, we were able to attack the basket. It really was a total team effort."

While Libertyville missed its first six shots of the second half, the Giants took full advantage of that opportunity. Luke Norcia (11 points) and Jason Beermann hit back-to-back 3's, extending the Highland Park lead to double figures (34-24).

Again the home-standing Cats would not go away. Conor Peterson picked up the slack in the 3-point shooting game. He hit three 3-pointers in the second half. His trey with less than six minutes to play in the game cut the Highland Park lead to 42-38.

Highland Park did not make another field goal in the last three minutes. Instead, the Giants shot 19 free throws.

The Giants and Lake Forest have met before this season. And that game went to overtime.

"We have two different styles,'' Harris said. "We will play our zone. We are happy to be in the regional final."

Borcia has another year to help this Libertyville squad.

"I love our seniors,'' Borcia said. "I'm going to miss them."

The battle between the Scouts and Giants is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m

Images: Libertyville vs. Highland Park boys basketball

  Libertyville's Jack Lipp (22) passes around Highland Park's Jacon Iden, left, and Max Goshen during Class 4A regional semifinal play at Libertyville on Tuesday. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Libertyville's Ben Kimpler tries to wrestle away the ball from Highland Park's Hallvard Lundevall during Class 4A regional semifinal play at Libertyville on Tuesday. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Libertyville's Jack Lipp, left, drives on Highland Park's Tommy Sutker during Class 4A regional semifinal play at Libertyville on Tuesday. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Libertyville's Conor Peterson shoots during Class 4A regional semifinal play at Libertyville on Tuesday. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Libertyville's Joe Borcia, right, shoots over Highland Park's Hallvard Lundevall during Class 4A regional semifinal play at Libertyville on Tuesday. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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