North Chicago paid the price for run to Peoria

Long runs helped North Chicago toward its longest run of postseason boys basketball success.

And the Warhawks believe what many of them did before the season started has led to a season that will finish with a top-four Class 3A trophy at this weekend's state tournament in Peoria.

The basketball players who weren't playing football for North Chicago found different athletic paths in the fall. The ones used by cross country runners.

"Running cross country every single day paid off at the end," said senior guard Maurice Gordon, whose team plays in Friday's 2 p.m. Class 3A semifinal against Centralia. "We didn't place too well but it helped us."

It's a similar route to success used nearly 70 years ago by downstate Paris and legendary coach Ernie Eveland. Paris won state basketball titles in 1943 and 1947 and also won the IHSA's first four country titles (1946-49) the first three under Eveland's direction with teams comprised primarily of basketball players.

But the Warhawks' goal wasn't to make a run at challenge state cross country superpower York, although all-state junior guard Aaron Simpson did mention with pride he finished seventh in one of the school's meets.

"Running is our tempo and it helped us out," said Simpson, who averages 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists a game. "As we got into it - we really enjoyed it."

The real joy was how North Chicago was in prime condition for Tuesday's super celebration at Hoffman Estates after supersectional disappointments in 1967, 1972, 2008 and 2009.

"They worked hard and they knew going into the season what the goal was going to be," said North Chicago coach Gerald Coleman. "Physically they were going to be in shape. They paid the price and deserve everything that's come their way right now."

The Warhawks also paid a toll mentally as Coleman put together their most rugged schedule since he took over the program in 2005-06.

Losing twice to 4A finalist Warren, going 1-3 at the State Farm Holiday Classic in Bloomington and falling to Waukegan, Mundelein, Crane, East Aurora and Notre Dame hardened the Warhawks.

"The schedule was deliberately set up like that because we knew we'd play some of the top teams in the state," Coleman said.

"We played the best competition so we'd be ready to come here," Simpson said.

It wasn't easy since the Warhawks normally roll through the North Suburban Conference's Prairie Division with little resistance. They had a 43-game division winning streak snapped by 9-20 Lakes on Jan. 7, lost again on Feb. 12 to Vernon Hills and entered the postseason with a 12-13 record.

"At the beginning of the season we were not as one," Simpson said.

"After the Christmas tournament everybody came to the next practice with their heads down," Gordon said. "This team really came into the season too cocky. We started playing with some heart and intensity."

It showed in Tuesday's supersectional victory along with the discipline to commit only 4 turnovers en route to a 27-point third-quarter lead.

Now the Warhawks are trying to become the first boys basketball champion from Lake County.

"I feel like I'm still dreaming," Simpson said after he came out of the locker room about 20 minutes after Tuesday's game ended. "It can't be real and if it is, thank God."

That's exactly the feeling Coleman wanted for this group. He had been on the other end as a coach in the last two supersectional losses and as a player in 1972 when he scored 24 points in a 62-60 heartbreaker to Evanston.

"It's really a great feeling," Coleman said. "That's something that's stuck in my mind. I replay that game and I didn't want these kids to experience it."