Hoffman runs past Elgin

For a stretch of 2:13 during the third quarter against Hoffman Estates on Monday night, the Elgin boys basketball team looked unstoppable.

But outside of that 11-0 Elgin run, which closed an 18-point deficit to 36-29 with 3:20 left in the period, the Hawks made the Maroons look vulnerable on defense throughout a 60-40 victory in the first round of the 34th Annual Elgin Holiday Tournament.

Senior guards Kemill Long (16 points) and Luke Mead (13 points) led the way as Hoffman Estates improved to 9-0 this season.

"Both of their passing ability and ability to find their shots was extraordinary tonight," Hawks coach Bill Wandro said.

Hoffman Estates will play Dundee-Crown (6-1) Tuesday at 8 p.m. Elgin (2-6) will face Guilford at 1:30 p.m.

"They told me to be more aggressive with my shot," said Mead, who connected on 3-of-5 attempts from 3-point range in the first half. "I'm getting pressured a lot more now and people are getting up on me, so I have to find my shot in different ways and create for myself."

Hoffman Estates led 13-6 after one quarter and improved its advantage to 26-16 at the half behind a pair of 3-pointers by Long.

The Hawks then ripped off 8 straight points to open the second half, ignited by 2 inside baskets from 6-foot-2 senior forward Chris Hall.

Elgin stormed back behind senior Tom Roth (15 points), who scored 9 points during the 11-0 run, then scored on a leaner in the lane with 1:52 left in the third period to keep Elgin within 39-31.

However, a 3-pointer from long and a pair of Mead free throws kept the Maroons from getting any closer.

"I thought we had them," Roth said. "Their coach had to call a timeout, momentum was in our favor, the crowd was on our side. We just did not match their intensity, on the defensive end especially."