Naperville Central stepping closer to title
Naperville Central won't be walking to the finish line.
Keeping the throttle down from tip to buzzer, the Redhawks' boys basketball team moved another step closer to the outright DuPage Valley Conference title with Friday's 65-43 cross-town win at Naperville North.
Boasting a three-game lead atop the DVC standings with four games to play, the Redhawks (20-2, 10-0) only need to split their last four conference games to win the outright title.
If Friday was any indication, though, Naperville Central is aiming for DVC perfection.
"We really wanted to come out tonight and show them what kind of team we are, show the DVC what kind of team we are," said Redhawks senior Drew Crawford, who scored a game-high 27 points.
Naperville North (7-14, 1-9) stayed on the Redhawks' heels through the opening minutes of the third quarter, pulling within 28-27 on Matt LoLordo's third 3-pointer.
Spurred by Naperville Central's defensive intensity, a wicked offensive drought struck the Huskies. The Redhawks built a 39-27 lead, holding the Huskies scoreless for seven minutes before Joe McNicholas scored to make it 40-29 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Redhawks and Crawford extended the lead from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Crawford, who was 16 of 21 on the night, hit 11 of 12 fourth-quarter attempts as Naperville Central outshot the Huskies 34-7 from the line.
"I honestly thought that we did some good things offensively," said Huskies coach Mark Lindo. "Obviously, we quit scoring in the third quarter, and that's when they built that lead."
Dave Mallett sparked the Redhawks' offense early, hitting a trio of 3-pointers while scoring 13 of his 15 points in the first half. Nick Linne added two 3-pointers early in the third quarter as the Redhawks began to pull away.
"It's a big rivalry and they really brought the intensity," Mallett said. "We moved the ball around, and I got the open shots tonight. The ball distributing was great."
Matt Hasse's 11 points paced Naperville North while LoLordo added 9 points.
Naperville Central can clinch at least a share of the DVC title with a win next Friday at Glenbard North, but the Redhawks are looking much bigger picture than that.
"These kids are great kids," said Redhawks coach Pete Kramer. "They're not just a good basketball team, they're a great bunch of kids. And it all adds up. You're going to have success."
BOX SCORE
Naperville Central 65, Naperville North 43
Naperville Central - Crawford 5 16-21 27, Linne 3 0-0 9, Mallett 5 2-2 15, Ondik 1 2-3 4, Neufeld 1 2-2 4, Rickert 0 2-2 2, Brate 0 0-2 0, Pomeroy 0 0-0 0, Czarnowski 0 2-2 2, Trainor 0 0-0 0, Smith 0 0-0 0, Haywood 1 0-0 2, Cephus 0 0-0 0, Zelinski 0 0-0 0, Bicek 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 26-34 65.
Naperville North - Beck 0 1-4 1, Griffin 3 0-0 7, Hasse 4 2-2 11, O'Shaughnessy 2 0-0 5, McNicholas 3 0-1 6, LoLordo 3 0-0 9, Bushman 0 0-0 0, Bogart 1 0-1 2, Williams 1 0-0 2, Loughlin 0 0-0 0, Lapides 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 3-7 43.
Naperville Central 15 13 12 25 -65
Naperville North 10 14 5 14 -43
3-point baskets: NC: Linne 3, Mallett 3, Crawford. NN: LoLordo 3, Griffin, Hasse, O'Shaughnessy.
Fouled out: None.