Harper men's basketball team improves to 7-1

The Harper College men's basketball team collected its seventh win of the season Tuesday night by defeating McHenry County College 85-77.

Chris Hicks (Elk Grove) gave the Hawks a spark off the bench by scoring 14 points.

“We played well in the first half (after a slow first three minutes),” said Harper coach Tony Amarino.

The Scots (1-7) were held to 19 points in the first half but Harper never completely pulled away.

“They (McHenry) never quit,” Amarino said. “We were not happy with the way we played the second half. We could have played with more intensity and focus.”

The Hawks travel to Oakton Community College on Saturday befor hosting Daley College at the Sports and Welness Center on Tuesday.

“If I said we were going to be 7-1 at the beginning of the year, I wouldn't have believed it,” Amarino said.

The Raiders pose an interesting threat to the Hawks, with their four guard, up-tempo lineup.

“They shoot the ball pretty well,” Amarino said of Oakton. “If we play our tempo, we should win the game.”

The Hawks have lost sophomore forward Avery Roche for the season. Roche has a microfracture in his knee. Amarino called the loss of Roche a “big disapointment.”

Cazzato nets All-America honors: Harper College freshman setter Alyssa Cazzato (Bartlett) has been named NJCAA Division III All-American Honerable mention. Cazzato was second in the nation with 1,333 assists (9.19 assists per game). Cazzato helped guide the Hawks to a 28-18 record in the fall.

“Her hard work payed off” said Harper coach Bob Vilsoet.

Outside hitter Alexandra Mason earned third-team All-American honors last season. Mason is currently playing for Chicago State University in the Great West Conference.

“This is a feather in the cap for the program” Vilsoet said.

Cazzato along with freshman Lauren LaMasse were also named to the All-Region first team.