Harper men off to perfect start
After defeating the Northwestern University Club Team last Tuesday 93-77, the Harper men's basketball team (2-0) was back on the court again Wednesday night when they traveled to Elgin Community College (0-3). The Hawks outlasted the Spartans 77-74 in overtime.
The Spartans were coming off of a 66-55 loss to Triton College last Tuesday and a 64-57 loss to No. 4-ranked College Of DuPage.
On Friday, Amarino's team visits Morton College (1-1) for a 7 p.m. tip-off. Amarino spent 15 seasons as head coach of the Panthers.
Morton split a pair of games last week, an 88-68 loss to Kishwaukee and an 81-46 win over Wright College.
Morton is the defending Region IV champion and returns mostly sophmores from last season's squad. The Hawks will have to take care of the ball, because Morton's defensive press can be disruptive.
Amarino was not happy with his team's defense in the season opener. The Hawks forced 16 Elgin second-half turnovers.
"If we don't play well, we will get beat," Amarino said of Harper's opponents this week.
Getting better: After a 54-51 loss to the Northwestern women's club team, the Harper women's basketball team (0-1) played Elgin Community College (2-1) on Wednesday.
The Hawks came away with a 66-57 victory in Elgin, but it was not easy. Harper trailed early before coming back strong in the second half. Peggie Parhas (Lake Zurich) scored 20 points for Harper while Noreen Davis (Conant) scored 15 points, 13 of which came in the first half. The Hawks forced 13 turnovers.
Elgin was coming off a pair of home wins last week. First was a 74-42 victory over Triton College last week in its season opener. Later in the week the Spartans defeated No. 6-ranked College of Dupage 48-41.
"Betsy (Bailey, of Palatine) is going to be a big part of our success this year," Harper coach Mark Smith said.
Harper next travels to Morton College for a 5 p.m. tip-off Friday night.
"This early in the season you just want to get better each time you play," said Smith.
Mat matters: The Harper College wrestling team kicked off its season Saturday in the Loras (Iowa) Open.
This will be a busy weekend for the Hawks. On Friday they wrestle against Wisconsin-Oshkosh. On Saturday, the Hawks have to get up bright and early as the Wisconsin trip continues; as the Hawks will compete in the Stevens Point Open.