Waukegan puts it in gear at Buffalo Grove

Through one quarter and into the second, Buffalo Grove had something going in the Class 4A boys basketball regional championship game it hosted against top-seeded Waukegan.

The ninth-seeded Bison led 12-5 with 2:41 left in the first quarter and trailed by just 18-17 at the 6:37 mark in the second. Waukegan turned up the defensive pressure at that point and started a run of points that didn't stop until it was leading 31-17 and on its way to a 73-52 victory.

Waukegan (23-4) will face Stevenson in its own sectional semifinal Tuesday. Buffalo Grove's season ends with a 16-10 record, and the Bison return 8 of the 11 players who saw action Friday.

Buffalo Grove spread the floor against Waukegan's trapping defense with some success in the first quarter, and Nick Prus provided the scoring punch with 10 of his game-high 20 points.

"I knew from the start it was going to be a big night," Prus said. "We wanted to get good shots, move the ball and make them work on defense."

"Nick was playing at a very high level to start the game," Buffalo Grove coach Ryan O'Connor said. "We just weren't able to sustain it."

Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw took assistant Tim Bowen's advice to change defenses, and the Bulldogs' transition game turned a close game into romp.

"They matched up more man-to-man, and we weren't able to get the passes we were able to get before," O'Connor said. "We shot the ball a little quick, and they had some transition baskets.

"We haven't seen anyone come out that deliberate before," Ashlaw said. "We adjusted by going away from the trap and individually guarding guys."

Quan Connor scored 8 of his 12 points, and Mike Springs scored 8 of his 15 in the second quarter, building a 37-21 halftime advantage.

"Our pressure made a lot of turnovers," said sophomore Akeem Springs (team-high 17 points). "Coach said to keep up the pressure. Whenever there is adversity, we try to stay focused and make sure we stay together as a team."

"We're dangerous in a lot of spots on the floor," Ashlaw said. "When we share the ball, we're as dangerous as anybody, and tonight we were not just willing but were eager to share the ball."

Waukegan stretched its lead to 57-31 after three quarters, and reserves played much of the fourth quarter.

Illinois recruit Jereme Richmond scored just 12 points and seemed content to rebound, play defense and find his open teammates.

"We put a lot of guys on him," Prus said. "I think they're in a league of their own."

Senior Kevin Mulligan was in foul trouble for much of the game and left the game with his fifth foul with 6:15 left in the game.

"I wanted coach to let me back in," Mulligan said. "Foul trouble has been the story of my season."

He still scored 4 of his 6 points in the fourth quarter. Dan Recht and Tom Ricciardi also scored 6 points each.