Rizzo, Cougars clearly see victory

Conant's Tony Rizzo had vision Friday night at Palatine.

Court vision that is as the 6-foot-5 senior guard led a Cougars' second-quarter surge in whipping the host Pirates 54-30 in both teams Mid-Suburban West boys basketball opener.

Leading 6-4 after one quarter Conant (3-1), Rizzo came up with a spectacular quarter.

Rizzo, stole the ball to start it and converted a 3-point play. Trapped under the basket a minute later, Rizzo spied Eric Madeck at the top of the key. Without hesitation, Rizzo whipped the ball to Madeck for a 3-pointer.

Rizzo hit for two 3-point baskets sandwiched around a steal and score by Garrett Gatz to build a 20-6 lead with 5:18 left in the first half. Conant led 28-12 at the break.

"He just sees the floor so well," said Cougar coach Tom McCormack. "He reminds me of when Toni Kukoc played for the (Chicago) Bulls. He's like a point-forward."

"My teammates make it easy for me,"said Rizzo, who scored 12 points, had 4 rebounds and 6 assists. "I like the role I have. My court vision just developed by playing with these players since freshman year.

"We didn't play well in the first quarter. Once we picked up on defense then the offense came around."

Palatine (1-3) was guilty of 25 turnovers to Conant's nine.

Tommy Galvan led the Pirates with 7 points off the bench. Matt Rossi returned from a groin injury but scored 2 points and fouled out.

"We have to keep our heads up," said Palatine coac Eric Millstone. "We did a good job in the first quarter but then we lost track of their shooters in the second."

McCormack was proud of his team bouncing back from a loss to St.Viator last Friday.

"You could take the loss either way," said McCormack. "The kids decided to make it a positive and worked hard this week in practice."