York holds off Naperville North
After wrapping up hosting its own Jack Tosh Holiday Classic, the York boys basketball team wanted to get 2015 off to a good start and got its wish. The Dukes won on the road Tuesday, beating Naperville North 52-40.
"We were busy hosting the Jack Tosh Classic and to come over here and play is nice before we get back to conference," said York coach Vince Doran. "It's a good win for us. Naperville North is a tough, young team and will be a force to be reckoned with this year sooner or later. Collectively, I think we did a nice job moving the ball around and attacking the rim."
The offense was as cold as the air outside in the first quarter as the Dukes (8-4) led 5-4 after the first eight minutes. The teams shot a combined 3 of 19 from the field.
However, York's temperature on offense soared in the second quarter with a 17-point output resulting in a 22-14 halftime lead. The Dukes hit 5 of 7 from the field during that span, and Rich George and Jayvon Thomas kept working on being the top two scorers of the entire contest. George hit the first 2 of 5 3-point baskets on the night and contributed 8 points during the second on the way to a game-high 19 points. Thomas put through 6 and finished the night with 18.
The Huskies (7-7) stayed within single digits of the Dukes for most of the third quarter, including pulling to within 6 on Baylor Griffin's bucket with 3:57 left in the period. York, though, finished the quarter on a 12-4 run to lead 39-25. Griffin and Winston Elston led Naperville North with 8 points each.
Naperville North didn't get closer than 12 points during the final quarter.
"We didn't do good enough offensively to break their defense. They outplayed us in every aspect of the game," said Huskies coach Jeff Powers.
York returns to West Suburban Silver competition with a home game Friday against Downers Grove North. The Huskies, meanwhile, take to the road Saturday for the Bob Hambric Memorial Shootout.
Naperville North returns to DuPage Valley Conference play Jan. 16 at Wheaton North.
"We just have to focus up, play good defense, rebound and close out and hit open shots," said Huskies junior Jelani McClain regarding what's crucial for Naperville North during the rest of DVC play.