Grcic, Lake Zurich handle Palatine

Mirko Grcic scored 25 points to help Lake Zurich open the season with a 56-33 victory over host Palatine in boys basketball tournament opener on Monday.

Jeff O’Brien added 11 points for the Bears, and Doug Murphy (8 points) had perhaps the play of the game. During a sequence in the third quarter that allowed the Bears to snatch the momentum, Murphy took a charge on one end, set a great screen at half court and then rolled to the basket where he was fed the ball, made the shot, got fouled and converted the free throw for a 3-point play.

Stevenson 78, Holy Trinity 31: Michael Fleming had a game-high 20 points as the Patriots rolled to victory in tournament play at Buffalo Grove. Colby Cashaw had 13 points and Jalen Brunson 11 for Stevenson.

Vernon Hills 67, Maine East 41: Darren Hoveydai rolled up a game-high 29 points to lead the Cougars to a victory in their first game. Jarrett Wood added 12 points for Vernon Hills, which is playing in the Northridge Prep Thanksgiving tourney.

Libertyville 56, Maine South 47: Libertyville got double-figures out of three players to open play in the Maine West Thanksgiving tournament with a victory. Ellis Matthews led the way for the Wildcats with a game-high 22 points. Teammates Griffin Pils and Luke Mathewson added 12 and 11 points respectively.

Barrington 57, Lakes 48: Jay Jay Elvir scored 15 points and Direll Clark added 11 points but Lakes dropped its opening game of the Mundelein Thanksgiving tournament to Barrington.

Maine West 61, Antioch 39: William Waschow scored 14 points and Karl Nettigen added 11 points for the Sequoits, who opened the season with a loss in the Maine West Thanksgiving tournament.

Girls basketball

Vernon Hills 68, Maine East 37: Vernon Hills got double-figures out of four players in a win over Maine East. Meri Bennett-Swanson led the way with 16 points.