Maine South tops Wheeling

Maine South and 6-foot-7 senior forward Matt Palucki ruined Wheeling boys basketball coach John Clancy's debut.

Palucki garnered a double-double as Maine South tripped the hosts 56-36 in the first round of the Maine West Thanksgiving Tournament at Wheeling on Monday night.

Palucki scored 22 points and pulled down 17 rebounds for the Hawks. Wheeling led 20-19 for the last time with 2:52 left in the second quarter on Billy Jamie's 3-point basket.

Palucki scored the Hawks' last two baskets of the half for a 23-20 halftime lead.

Maine South put away the game in the third quarter with a 16-0 run to start the quarter and a 39-20 lead with 3:25 remaining.

“Maine South just made some good adjustments in the quarter,” said Clancy. “They exposed us at the high post. I've seen Palucki play a lot and he is solid. We showed that we do have some ability but we just have to shore up a few things.”

Tyler Shapiro led the Wildcats with 13 points while Riley Harvey added 9 points.

“With new guys on the team, I felt I had to set the tone,” said Palucki. “I thought we might be tentative but a few players stepped up like Tony Albano.”

Albano added 13 points and Pat Gawrylo came off the bench to score 11 for the Hawks, who advanced to the supersectional last year.

“I give a lot of credit to coach Clancy,” said Hawks coach Tony Lavorato. “They played hard. We just made some good adjustments in the third quarter.”