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Geneva handles Huntley

Jack McDonald is your typical modern era prototypical point guard.

The Geneva junior has the ability to score, pass and play defense.

All of McDonald's skills were on display as he compiled 19 points with three 3-pointers, 11 assists and 5 steals in leading the Vikings to a 62-44 victory over Huntley in third round action of the Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving Tournament Friday night.

"I take what the defense gives me," said McDonald. "If I have an open shot I will take it. If I see one of our guys open I will try to get them the ball. Our guys do a great job of cutting to the basket."

Geneva first-year coach Scott Henning appreciates McDonald's effort.

"Jack is a fantastic point guard," said Henning. "He doesn't force anything. He thinks pass first but he has a nice shot and will take the open shot. He has great instincts. I wish I had him to run the point for me for the next 10 years."

Geneva (2-1) also landed Mitch Mascari with 14 points which included three 3-pointers and Nate Santos with 13 points in double digits. Geneva connected on 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.

"Their big 3 (McDonald. Mascari, Santos) are really tough to defend," said Huntley coach Will Benson. "They are long and lanky and they can shoot the ball from long range. Geneva is a very talented team."

Huntley (1-2) was still within striking distance after 3 quarters, trailing the Vikes 42-33.

Geneva opened the fourth quarter with a 4-point play from Mascari. The junior forward drilled a 22-footer from deep in the left corner and was fouled on the play. Mascari converted the free throw for the 4-point play to give the Vikings a 46-33 lead with 7:22 left in the game.

Huntley didn't quit and responded with a 5-0 run on a 3-pointer by Cory Knipp and a putback by Chris Constantino to slice the Vikings' lead to 46-38 with 5:22 remaining.

The Red Raiders couldn't get any closer.

Two treys by McDonald and a layup from Kross Garth off a pass from McDonald provided Geneva with a 8-0 run in taking a 54-38 lead with 3:22 left in the contest.

Henning likes the way his team bounced back from a 63-57 loss to Prairie Ridge Wednesday.

"I liked the way we responded after the loss to Prairie Ridge," said Henning. "We played well at the defensive end especially in the second half."

Zack Loveisky led the Red Raiders with 12 points while Knipp scored 10 with a pair of 3s.

"I thought we took a step forward with the win over Belvidere North," said Benson. "Tonight we were in a holding pattern. It wasn't because of a lack of effort. We battled. We had too many unforced turnovers, empty possessions and missed layups. When you play a team like Geneva you don't have much of a margin for error."

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