Madrzyk, Bart set winning example for Barrington
Before the season started, Barrington coach Bryan Tucker knew seniors Zach Bart and Austin Madrzyk would be important pieces for this Broncos team.
“With so many new guys and guys with inexperience, Austin and Zach are our veteran guys from last year and we will need them,” Tucker said.
Friday night at the Mundelein Thanksgiving Tournament against the host Mustangs, the two Bronco seniors did their part — and then some. Madrzyk and Bart combined for 50 points to help lead Barrington to a 91-80 win over Mundelein.
Madrzyk tied for game-high honors with Mundelein’s Nate Williams with 32 points. That was a career best for Madrzyk, and Bart chipped in a workmanlike 18 points to go with 18 boards and 5 assists as the Broncos evened their mark at the tournament at 2-2. Mundelein fell to 1-3.
“The young guys we have on this team have a ton of talent,” Madrzyk said. “We need to show them how to play varsity basketball and it’s a lot different than sophomore basketball. It’s good for us to be able to help those guys out.”
Turnovers were a big factor in the rise and fall of the Barrington lead. When the Broncos took care of the ball, they pulled ahead — particularly in the third quarter, buidling a 60-49 lead with 2:24 to go in the period. When they didn’t, and the Mundelein full court trapping defense caused a number of miscues, the Mustangs were able to close the gap to 64-60 after three periods.
“In the first quarter, with a day off combined with the fast-paced Mundelein style, we just had trouble settling in,” Tucker said. “In the third, we settled in some and did a better job.”
Mundelein battled back from double-digits in the third quarter getting within 2 points on a pair of occasions before a back-breaking 17-4 run by the Broncos.
“I thought we came out great, then Barrington made a run in the second quarter,” Mundelein coach Corey Knigge said. “Then the third quarter came and we start to lose our minds, and the game gets away from us.”
To go with the 32-point effort from Williams was a 16-point, 7-rebound night from Mundelein senior J.T. Michalski and a 10-point, 9 steal effort from senior Sam Nelson.
Mundelein led by as many as 6 in the first half before Barrington seized control in the second quarter.
Sophomore Rapolas Ivanauskas chipped in 16 points and 7 boards for Barrington.