Larkin can't catch Downers Grove North
The Larkin boys basketball team trimmed Downers Grove North's 19-point lead to 3 points after three quarters, but catching up required more energy than the young Royals had in reserve.
Larkin's comeback attempt hit the wall in the fourth quarter and the Trojans pulled away for a 61-44 nonconference victory in Elgin.
“Our energy and effort off the bench helped us get back into it, and we started hustling after the ball and getting rebounds,” said Larkin sophomore Quantice Hunter (11 points). “We just didn't have enough energy at the end.”
Downers Grove North (4-3) righted the ship in only 2 possessions. Senior forward Ross Johnson scored on an old-fashioned three-point play when he dribbled around the perimeter and drove for layup. Senior guard Tom Wengren followed up with a 3-pointer from the corner to put the Trojans back up 9 points with 6:20 to play. Larkin never drew closer than 6 points the rest of the game.
Johnson scored 17 points and Wengren added 16 in support of 6-foot-7 junior forward Rob Mahlke, who scored 17 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.
“We've been talking to Wengert and Johnson about being more consistent and giving us more points in all of our games,” Downers Grove North coach Jim Thomas said. “Wengert's been there for the majority of the games. As soon as Ross turns it on for us we'll be able to get into the fifties. We feel we can hold teams under 50, so that'll give us more opportunities to win tight ballgames.”
The Larkin lineup got even younger than usual after starting guard Trevor Whitehead rolled his ankle early in the first quarter. Freshman guard Derrick Streety, playing his second varsity game since being called up Saturday, scored a team-best 12 points all in the second half including the 3-pointer that pulled the Royals within 38-35 at the end of the third quarter.
Afterward, he spoke more like a veteran.
“I felt we needed to get in the flow instead of playing well for just a minute here or two minutes there,” Streety said. “We have to do it for a whole game.”
Trailing 31-18 at the half, the Royals used 5 Downers North turnovers to outscore the Trojans 17-7 in the third quarter.
Despite failing to catch all the way up after pulling so close to the lead, Larkin coach Deryn Carter said there was a silver lining to the loss, especially in light of Saturday's 65-26 loss to Geneva.
“I have to say it coming off a loss, but it was more positive than it was negative in the locker room, at least from me,” Carter said. “We'll just try to keep getting better.
“Those types of things can snowball, and they can really snowball when you're young. Our seniors are doing a great job of leading, but they don't have a lot of experience to draw back on. It's good as a staff to continue to be encouraging.”