N. Stars open tourney by scoring 90

A fast start, balanced scoring, solid defense and a decisive rebounding edge helped propel St. Charles North's basketball team to a 90-57 victory over Mundelein in the first round of the 18th annual Jacobs Holiday Tournament Saturday afternoon in Algonquin.

Receiving 8 points apiece from Zach Hirsch and Josh Mikes, the North Stars (4-4) exploded with a 19-4 surge during the first 5 minutes on the way to building a 27-9 first-quarter advantage.

"We just came out ready to play," said senior guard Jonathon DeMoss, one of four North Stars to reach double figures with 15 points. "Coach (Tom Poulin) had us up early this morning moving around and playing 3 on 3s. We had a lot more energy.

"We came out ready to play and did more of what our coaches asked us to do."

Like play defense and rebound, as the North Stars forced 9 first-quarter turnovers and earned a 16-5 edge on the glass through the first 8 minutes.

"We heard that they (the Mustangs) like to get up and down the court and we felt like we've got some kids who can do that - play that type of style well," said Poulin. "We were a little worried because I'm sure they practice that style a lot more than we do. But the kids came out and were aggressive offensively.

"The best part about this was defensively and on the boards, we made a commitment to doing those things together. If we make it hard for them to score, we're going to get run-outs, be able to break their pressure and attack the rim.

"It all started and ended with defense and rebounding."

St. Charles North led by as many as 20 points early in the first half before Mundelein (4-6) narrowed the deficit to 44-33 at the intermission, thanks in part to junior guard Ben Brust's 18 first-half points.

Brust's layup on the opening possession of the second half enabled the Mustangs to pull within single digits at 44-35 before the North Stars went on a 24-3 tear to extend their lead to 64-38 with 2:07 left in the third quarter.

Hirsch, who led the North Stars with 20 points, canned 2 of his game-high six 3-pointers during the third-quarter run while DeMoss added 5 points, including a 3-pointer.

"If Zach (Hirsch) is hitting shots the way he was, we're dangerous because we've got an inside game and an outside game," said DeMoss.

"In that style where you're up and down the court, he's (Hirsch) one of those guys that can get lost in transition and find his spot he likes," said Poulin. "We've got big guards who can penetrate and pitch, and they know where he's going to be."

Brust, who entered the game with a 29-point average, poured in a game-high 32 points but was the only Mundelein player to reach double figures.

"That was kind of the plan coming in," said Poulin. "You know he's (Brust) going to get his but if you close out well and contest on the other guys, hopefully they're not hot, too."

In addition to their 44-24 rebounding edge that resulted in a 27-6 advantage in second-chance points, the North Stars' bench outscored Mundelein's reserves 24-6.

"I knew when we were warming up that we weren't ready to play, and that's what I told the kids," said Mundelein coach Richard Knar. "When we're coming here and going through our layup lines half-speed, we're not ready to play.

"Our biggest thing is that we're not strong. We struggle against stronger teams and they're a strong team."

Mikes, earning his first start, scored 17 points while Mike Kastel added 12 points and 8 rebounds for the North Stars, who will face Crystal Lake South at 9 a.m. Monday.

"It kind of goes hand in hand with coming here - we always have an early game," said Poulin. "They're excited about it."