Pirates, Wildcats drop openers

As Palatine's boys basketball team walked off the court Monday evening after its first-round game in the 34th annual Billy Schnurr Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament at Niles West, there were likely mixed emotions for coaches and players alike.

Despite dropping their season opener 48-44 to Glenbrook North (1-0), a Central Suburban North powerhouse, the Pirates made it clear that they will a team to be reckoned with in the Mid-Suburban West this season.

The Schnurr Tournament expanded its field to include eight teams this season.

"This is a very good tournament for us," Palatine coach Ed Molitor said. "Glenbrook North, as well as practically every team in this tournament, would be very good in our conference. Hopefully we could be competitive in their conference as well."

Molitor is the most experienced head coach in the MSL, now entering his 32nd and final year at the helm at Palatine.

The Pirates (0-1) were able to open the game with patience on the offensive side of the floor. But they ultimately fell behind by 9 points after a quarter, largely from the excellent play of Spartans sophomore guard Alex Dragicevich and the inside play of junior center Tyler Ponticelli (11 points, 2 rebounds).

Dragicevich led all scorers with 20 points and also had 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

"He's a great player," Glenbrook North coach David Weber said of Dragicevich. "He's only a sophomore. He still has to learn a lot of things but he's a real good player."

With a 29-15 lead midway through the second quarter, it looked as if Glenbrook North might pull away as a result of its quickness and proficient passing.

Molitor's Pirates, however, regained momentum off a missed Spartan layup and went on a 7-0 run to end the half.

In the third quarter, Palatine elevated its level of play on both ends of the court to match the Spartans' first-half intensity.

"We pride ourselves on defense," senior forward Ron Lampen said. "We collectively came out in the second half and decided we were going to play tighter defense."

Lampen, thanks in large part to the excellent passing of senior guards John Castellano (9 point) and Gerald Hutton, was able to score some easy buckets inside in the second third and fourth quarters to keep the Pirates in the game.

Lampen (16 points, 5 rebounds) was complimentary of his teammates.

"They are two really good players," Lampen said of Hutton and Castellano. "They are definitely going to be key factors for our team this year."

While Palatine went into the fourth trailing only by 4 and was able to bring the game within 41-39, it got no closer.

Glenbrook North neutralized the Pirates' offense by holding onto the ball for much of the final quarter to seal the victory.

"We need to take better care of the ball and be a little more patient," Molitor said. "Defensively, we need to step it up a little more, but overall I thought we did a lot of good things out there."

Niles West 75, Wheeling 68: Keeping late hours didn't pay off for Wheeling in the opening round at Niles West.

Forced to begin the contest after 9 p.m. since the preceeding game between Corliss and Rich South went into overtime, the Wildcats battled and built an early lead but fell to Niles West 75-68.

Wheeling was defeated despite super-sized efforts from senior point guard Chris McClellan (30 points, 13-for-13 from the free throw line) and 6-foot-4 center Alex Chery (20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocked shots).

"We lost our first 2 games last year," said McClellan, "so we wanted to come out tonight and get a 'W' -- but we fell short."

"We gave a good effort," added Wheeling coach Lou Wool, "but there were some mistakes we've got to fix."

Wheeling jumped to a 7-0 lead and went up by double digits midway through the second quarter after McClellan canned the second of his 3 3-pointers.

But Niles West forged a halftime tie, then took a commanding lead in the third quarter as junior Nik Garcia scored 11 of his game-high 34 points.

"Garcia is a wonderful player," said Wool, "and he showed why tonight."

Wheeling closed to within 62-60 late in the fourth after McClellan's third 3, but despite some good opportunities couldn't get any closer.

Six-foot-2 junior forward James Kurtz added 10 points for the Wildcats.

"This effort," added Wool, "is something we can build on."

-- Bill Esbrook