Niles North sets the pace, stops Libertyville
It was quick.
Just like Niles North.
“It” being the pace of Wednesday's regional semifinal game between Niles North and Libertyville, and “it” being the amount of time it took Niles North to take control.
The speedy Vikings used their quick hands and quick feet to speed past Libertyville for a 70-56 victory in Class 4A action at Warren.
Niles North forced Libertyville into 15 first-half turnovers and more than 20 on the game. That led to all kinds of easy, breezy baskets in transition. The Vikings were up 35-21 by halftime.
Niles North, which improves to 21-9, will face top-seeded Evanston on Friday in the Warren regional championship game.
“In practice, we were talking about ‘winning the first quarter,' ” said Niles North sophomore guard Damaria Franklin, who tied teammate Crishawn Cook for game-high scoring honors with 20 points. “We have a lot of attackers and we just attacked the rim. We have a lot of team speed. I don't think they could (keep up with us).”
Niles North kept its foot firmly on the gas by going on a 9-0 run to open the third quarter. That gave the Vikings, who scored several baskets directly off of Libertyville turnovers, a 44-21 lead.
“It's hard to simulate in practice the intensity and speed of (Niles North),” said Libertyville senior forward Ben Kimpler, who pounded his way inside for a team-high 18 points. “The amount of runs they get is good. They thrive on those turnovers and runs, and the energy they bring on their press. It makes their offense flow so well.”
“And that 9-0 run at the beginning of the second half was just the dagger in the heart at that point.”
The Vikings have been known to be able to put points on the scoreboard in a hurry.
“We had some real good stretches with our pressure,” Niles North coach Glenn Olson said. “We like to play a fast-paced game. We like to let the kids win it. They are skilled kids, they are aggressive kids, that's how they love to play. We try to space them out a little bit and let them go to work.”
Besides the 20 points apiece out of Cook and Franklin, who rolled up 14 of the team's 20 first-quarter points, Niles North also got double-figures from Saveion Shadd. Shadd finished with 11 points.
Libertyville, which closes out its season with a 16-11 record, put two other players in double-figures besides Kimpler. Drew Peterson finished with 13 points and Paul Steinhaus had 11 points.
“They are a really good team. They've got some pretty good, quick, athletic kids,” Libertyville coach Brent Mork said of Niles North. “I'm proud of our guys, especially of our seniors, the fact that they didn't quit. They battled to the end.
“But mentally and physically, they (the Vikings) just get you to do things that you aren't accustomed to.”