advertisement

St. Francis feels at home at Montini

For their first road game since Dec. 28, junior Andrew Harvey and his St. Francis boys basketball teammates had a tough assignment Friday - a visit to Montini.

"It's our rivals. We knew we had to be ready. They're a great team," Harvey said. "We love playing in other teams' gyms, beating them in their own gym."

In the frontcourt right next to the Montini student section, Harvey and the Spartans began the second half with a tremendous offensive flurry that carried them to a 76-59 Chicago Catholic League North victory in Lombard.

St. Francis (10-12, 3-4) opened the half with a 14-3 run - including 10 consecutive points from Harvey - for a 48-27 lead en route to their highest single-game season total.

Montini (9-10, 1-6) came within 12 twice in the final four minutes, the last at 65-53.

"We're a young team. This is the closest we've come to playing a complete game," Harvey said. "We always talk about it, finishing the game stronger. We know if we start the game strong and finish the game strong we can play with anybody."

Junior John Detloff had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, and Harvey had 15 points and 9 rebounds. Also in double figures were Matt Cooney with 13 and Michael Cascella with 11.

St. Francis, which has won three straight, was 3-3 in six straight home games since the Glenbard West Tournament.

Montini's Matt Morrissey had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks. Anthony Thompson had 10 points and reserves Will Smith and Matt Weber 8 apiece.

Montini now has lost six straight, the last four without starting point guard and second leading scorer Raymond Dennis, who is recovering from a sprained MCL.

The Spartans' scoring splurge actually began the final 1:23 of the first half. After Montini cut a 28-17 deficit to 28-24, St. Francis scored the final six points for a 34-24 halftime advantage.

Including the final 1:23 of the first half, St. Francis outscored Montini 20-3 over a 4:33 stretch. The Spartans led 34-24 at halftime after Broncos cut a 28-17 deficit to 28-24.

"(Cascella) and Cooney were both playing good. We were getting stops on offense and pushing the ball in transition and then finishing on the break," Harvey said. "(After halftime) my teammates just kept getting me open and I was just finishing on the break."

The Spartans missed a 3 to start the half. Montini got the rebound but Detloff maintained pressure. He stole the ball in the backcourt and immediately fired to Cascella at the top of the key for a 3-pointer.

"I try to get in there when I can. I just saw (the ball) and tried going for it," Detloff said.

The basket began 14 points over six possessions. Harvey had a three-point play off a putback and another 3 from the right corner.

"I can tell you exactly what happened," Montini coach Daryl Thomas said. "We didn't do a good job defending. We gave up too many offensive rebounds. We weren't taking good shots. We took quite a few quick shots and they capitalized on it."

The Spartans made 17 of 36 shots over the first three quarters and took advantage of a busy night at the free-throw line, making 30 of 44. Before Friday, St. Francis reached the 60s only once in a 64-60 victory at Marmion Dec. 22. Montini was 8 for 36 in the first half.

Detloff and freshman reserve Danny Blank were big in the first half with 9 points apiece. It was a great game for Detloff overall.

"I'd say it was up there (for me), definitely. It was a good team win, though," Detloff said. "Probably one of the best (for us). It's been a struggle so far but I think today was a good sign."

Thomas joked afterward that after years of coaching him in the Chicago Bulls Academy, Detloff was yet another of his former pupils who rose to the occasion against his team.

"(Detloff) played great," Harvey said. "He played huge, tons of rebounds. Best game all year."

Images: Montini Catholic vs. St. Francis, boys basketball

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.