No drama, no problem for Palatine

Palatine made sure there was no down-to-the-wire drama or disappointment Tuesday afternoon.

The Pirates' boys basketball team scored the first 10 points en route to an 18-point first-quarter lead and a 61-37 romp over St. Francis in the consolation bracket of York's 36th annual Jack Tosh Holiday Classic in Elmhurst.

"We needed it," said Palatine sophomore guard Michael Orris, who had game-highs of 17 points and 4 assists and 7 rebounds. "The last couple of games we haven't come out ready and haven't done what we needed to do.

"We were focused and got into it right away."

The Pirates (6-8) rebounded from three straight heartbreaking, late-game losses by taking a 25-7 lead after eight minutes. They will play for 13th place at 1:30 p.m. today against Harlan, a 56-41 winner over St. Charles East.

"Right away after (Monday's) loss (42-41 to Wheaton Warrenville South) we all got together on the team bus and huddled up," said senior Mykyta Cheshko, who had 14 points and 3 assists. "We said we need a statement win and everybody has to be ready to play."

Orris was 7-for-13 from the field and 3-for-4 on 3-pointers and Cheshko went 6-for-a 11 from the floor. Palatine shot 52 percent from the field (25-for-48) and was 7-for-15 behind the arc.

Tommy Galvan also hit a pair of 3s and scored 8 points. St. Francis (3-8) shot just 35.6 percent from the field (16-for-45) and 3-for-16 on 3s as Joe Pfeiffer had a team-high 9 points.

"We forced some turnovers and got some easy baskets," said Palatine coach Eric Millstone. "We said we really wanted to get the ball inside and we had a lot of good looks at the basket.

"We were patient and disciplined and we were finishing around the basket. That's something that's been missing the last few weeks."