Elgin wins, will face Larkin Friday
Elgin escalated the basketball arms race Tuesday.
The Maroons have mostly been a one-weapon team this season with senior guard Tom Roth handling the bulk of the scoring while forward Marcus Redburg worked his way into basketball shape following off-season knee surgery.
At the 34th Annual Elgin Holiday Tournament, Redburg demonstrated the Maroons are capable of a two-pronged attack.
The senior scored on a variety of post moves and rebound chances to match Roth with a game-best 18 points during a 59-51 victory over Guilford,
Elgin (3-6) will next play on Friday at 1:30 p.m. against crosstown rival Larkin (5-6), which defeated Wheaton North 75-68.
"Before the game we thought the middle would be wide open, so we wanted to flash middle, then bang it down low when the wing got it," Redburg said. "I think we've started playing better the last few games, getting it down low more. We need more guys to step up on offense, really."
Elgin fell behind 10-3, but Redburg led a steady comeback by scoring 14 of his points in the middle two quarters. He scored 7 points during a 12-0 Elgin run that started near the end of the third quarter, turning a 37-36 Elgin deficit into a 48-37 lead.
Guilford (3-6) twice trimmed that cushion to 7 points, but 5 fourth-quarter turnovers elevated the team total to 21 and kept the Vikings from making a late push.
The slow start by the Maroons - they shot 3 of 12 in the first quarter while making 4 turnovers - followed by three quarters of solid basketball was another example of the inconsistency with which Elgin has played.
"They are a frustrating group of kids to coach because they play well for flashes, then it just disappears for flashes," Maroons coach Mike Sitter said. "It's frustrating because you want the kids to do it well all the time. I think eventually we'll get there."
Aleks Kanlic added 6 points for the Maroons, and Elgin freshman Dennis Moore scored 5 points in his varsity debut.
Quavion Kimball scored 16 points and Leandre Harmon 14 points for Guilford.