Burlington Central makes it 6-0
Home sweet home.
After playing its first five games on the road, Burlington Central's boys basketball team enjoyed a hefty helping of home cooking Wednesday night.
The Rockets, who captured their second straight Strombom Tournament title in Sycamore last month, improved to 6-0 with a convincing 74-59 nonconference triumph over Crystal Lake South (3-4).
"We came out with a lot of energy," Rockets coach Brett Porto said of his team's 11-0 start in the first 3 minutes that included 3-point baskets from junior Michael Kalusa and senior Ta Vontae Harris.
"They were excited to come out and play in front of the home crowd. Everything really focuses from our defense. Those guys started it for us, getting tips and getting steals."
The lightning-quick, 5-foot-7 Harris fueled the Rockets and filled the stat sheet with 10 points, 6 assists, 5 steals and 4 rebounds.
"After a long summer, coming back out here and playing in front of my friends feels really good," said Harris. "We had a lot of steals on ball pressure and we forced a lot of turnovers."
Crystal Lake South, however, overcame its slow start with a 12-2 surge late in the opening quarter, drawing within 18-16 on a corner 3-pointer from junior Blake Kuffel (9 points).
After Jonathan Holloway's 3-point play pulled the Gators within 25-21 midway through the second quarter, the Rockets closed out the half with a 9-2 spurt to take a 34-23 lead at the intermission.
"I thought the ball moved around pretty well," said Porto. "We found the direct open man in the first half for the most part."
The Rockets put the game out of reach with a 14-4 run early in the third quarter that featured a 3-point play from Zach Schutta (13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) and back-to-back baskets by the electrifying Harris.
"When we needed to extend the lead in the second half, we were able to get into the paint and get some layups," said Porto.
All 5 starters reached double figures for the Rockets, led by Joey Ratzek (14 points, 5 rebounds) and Kalusa (14 points). Senior guard Emmanuel Wells added 13 points, including three 3-pointers.
"We feel like we have guys that can score the basketball," said Porto. "On nights like tonight, that means we're probably moving the ball to those open spots."
Kyle Leva and Luke Nolan finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Gators.
"Their ball pressure was very difficult," said Gators coach Matt LePage. "They turned us over 23 times. We can't win like that.
"Our point guards are first-year varsity players and I don't think we've seen that type of pressure yet. Their (Rockets) quickness is very tough to mimic in practice."
Burlington Central will have to wait more than a month before its next home game on Jan. 13.
"We're still learning and we're still growing offensively," said Porto. "I've liked how we've played on the defensive end for all six games."