Soph Mascari helps Geneva roll over Streamwood

As if the undefeated Geneva boys basketball team didn't have enough weapons already, the emergence of sophomore Mitch Mascari adds just one more to an already loaded artillery.

Mascari had a team-high and career-high 20 points on Friday night, including six 3-pointers, to lead the Vikings to their 21st straight win without a loss, 70-38, at Streamwood in Upstate Eight River Division action.

Mascari, who went straight from the freshman team last year to varsity this season, was 6-of-9 shooting from behind the arc.

"That's the most shots I've taken in a game this year," Mascari said. "I was just feeling it and when I'm feeling it I just want to get the ball in my hand and keep shooting. I worked a lot on my game playing travel ball over the summer and I feel like I have come a long way."

Mascari had three 3-pointers in the first half as the Vikings built a 32-15 halftime lead.

"We know that he has it in him," Geneva coach Phil Ralston said. "That's why he's a starter for us. He can hit shots and tonight he really got on a roll."

The Geneva (21-0, 7-0) defense also held Streamwood (6-18, 0-9) to just 6 baskets in the first half.

"I really thought our defense and rebounding was the difference for us tonight," Ralston said. "It's tough to keep pressure on their guards because they are so quick, but I thought we did a good job of collapsing the lane when they tried to drive inside and we crashed the boards to hold them to a lot of one and done."

The Vikings had a 28-18 rebounding edge.

Streamwood's best stretch was in the third quarter when it actually outscored the Vikings 16-12. Brendon Marton and Lamont Cole opened the scoring in the second half for the Sabres with back-to-back 3-pointers. Marton added another 3 later in the quarter. He had three 3-pointers in the game and finished with a team-high 15 points.

However, Geneva completely blew the game open in the fourth quarter when it put up 26 points.

"They are just the epitome of a complete team," Streamwood coach Paul Kowalyszyn said. "For one they have skilled players at every position and they work together always. It's what we are striving to be. I thought we had a good effort and played hard. We never hung our heads. But they are playing at another level right now."

Cole Navigato added 13 points for the Vikings.