N. Chcago's 'D' denies upset by Uplift

Trailing nearly the entire first half against upset-minded Chicago Uplift, North Chicago got a lift from its recently committed Division I recruit.

And Keith Ford provided that boost with more than just points, which is something the 6-foot guard has produced plenty of the last four varsity seasons.

"I gave my teammates a talk in the locker room and right there on the bench," Ford said. "I told them we're the No. 1 seed and that every team is going to come at us like it's their last game, so we got to give it all we got. We can't take teams lightly."

Added teammate Demitrius Starks: "He came to us and said it's not over."

By the time six minutes had elapsed in the fourth quarter, it was over. North Chicago had taken complete control of the Class 3A boys basketball sectional semifinal on its home court en route to a 76-57 win.

Ford scored 9 of his game-high 28 points in the final quarter, and point guard Michael Simpson netted 11 of his 15 points, as North Chicago (23-5) earned a spot in Friday's 7:30 p.m. sectional final against the winner of tonight's game between Grayslake Central and Gordon Tech. Ford also grabbed 8 rebounds on the night.

"We just had to step up the defense," said Ford, who committed to mid-major Sacramento State University a couple of weeks ago. "Defense is what got us this win tonight. That's all it was. No individuals. I wouldn't have had these 28 points if it wasn't for defense and my teammates."

Ford, who surpassed 1,000 career points last month, sank three 3-pointers in the opening half, but the Warhawks couldn't keep the visiting Titans off the glass and had difficulty stopping penetration.

Uplift (19-8) led 18-12 after one quarter and 33-28 at halftime. The Titans led by as many as 10 points.

But Ford and Starks rallied the Warhawks. Starks, who scored all 14 of his points in the second half, made 3 of 3 free throws to start a 9-0 run and give North Chicago a 45-37 lead. Uplift, however, scored the final 10 points of the third, getting 3s from Devonte Smith (9 points, 10 rebounds) and Misgna Paulos (14 points).

No matter, North Chicago owned the final quarter, outscoring Uplift 31-10. Simpson's three-point play commenced a 9-0 run to start the quarter and the Warhawks never looked back. DeShawn Chambliss - who received a souvenir basketball before the game from coach Gerald Coleman for surpassing 1,000 career points in the Warhawks' regional-final win over Johnsburg - scored a pair of baskets in the quarter.

Our defense stepped up and that got our offensive game going," Starks said.

Richard Samuels led Uplift with team bests of 15 points and 13 rebounds.