Elgin connects from long distance

Commemorating senior night versus nonconference opponent Northside Prep Tuesday night, the Elgin boys basketball team showed that it shares something with phone service providers - neither has trouble connecting from long distance.

Leading by 5 points at the half, the Maroons came out in the third quarter as if someone had deposited a quarter in them. Elgin hit 5 field goals in the third quarter, each from behind the arc.

The long-distance barrage carried into the final eight minutes of the game, resulting in a 59-39 routing of the Mustangs at Chesbrough Field House.

Up 24-19 entering the third, Marcus Redburg was the first to connect with 6:47 remaining in the quarter. Leading 27-22, Tom Roth answered the call with a 3 of his own from way outside that gave the Maroons a 30-22 lead.

Northridge prep pulled within 3 after 5 unanswered points, but Redburg struck two more times from 3-point range along with teammate Aleks Kanlic, helping Elgin take a 39-29 lead into the final quarter.

"I wasn't hitting shots down low," said Redburg. "They left me open outside, so I thought I'd give it a shot. Hitting 3 of 3 was great."

Having dropped four straight, the win came at a good time. Elgin (10-15) was able to create a game plan, execute and build momentum heading into a pair of Upstate Eight Conference games remaining before regionals.

"We wanted to get a lot of bodies in tonight," said Elgin coach Mike Sitter.

Of the 14 players that took the court, 11 scored.

"I didn't have to do a lot of coaching from the bench, which was great," Sitter said. "Sometimes these guys have to take it upon themselves out there, and tonight they did that."

Redburg led the Maroon offense with 20 points, while Roth added 15 points, 3 assists and 3 steals. Kanlic (7 points) pulled down 6 rebounds, and the team combined for more than a dozen steals. Steve Edwards added 5 rebounds and 3 assists, while Gurveer Raju grabbed 5 boards and tallied 3 swipes.

"This was a great final home game for my career here," said Redburg. "If we can continue to play as hard as we did in that third quarter, anything is possible."

Wemi Jemine led the Mustangs with 14 points.