Warren’s impressive run continues with win over Kenwood
The Warren Blue Devils showed their mettle Friday night in the semi-finals of the 62nd Proviso West tournament.
It wasn't easy but the game plan worked and the players came through in their 73-63 win over Kenwood from Chicago.
"We prepared for them very well," said freshman guard Jaxson Davis. "We watched films of them and we knew they had a lot of skilled players. Coming into this season, I thought people were overlooking us. We had a great summer and I thought going into the season that we could be one of the top teams in the state."
With the win the 14-1 Blue Devils will face another tough cookie from the Public League in Lincoln Park. The Lions knocked off a strong Rockford Guilford squad in the earlier quarterfinal 68-57.
"It's our first time here at Proviso West and there is a lot of tradition here," said Warren coach Zach Ryan. "To win the championship would be great for our guys. We're tough and battle tested and we expect to win."
Davis, who scored 16 points, dished out 6 assists and had 4 rebounds, broke a 6-6 tie with a three-point basket with 4:17 left in the first quarter.
Leading 19-16 going into the second quarter, Braylon Walker scored 6 of his 12 points and Jack Wolf, who would add 14 points, scored 5 points in the quarter.
Warren led 42-33 at the halftime break.
One of the Broncos’ big men Jaden Smith started to heat up. After not scoring in the first half, Smith tallied six of his points in the third quarter.
However, Calvin Robins, who scored 10 points in the first half, went scoreless in the second half.
"They have a hard time of both of them putting it together," said Kenwood coach Mike Irvin. "Right now its half of one and half of the other."
Smith started the fourth quarter with a basket and a three-point play to cut the gap to 57-56 with 7:16 left in the game.
Wolf connected on a three-point play and then a three-point basket to open the lead back to 63-56. Aleks Alston (15 points) scored on a putback for Kenwood but Wolf followed with another three-point shot and Warren coasted. Davis added two baskets in the last two minutes.
Alex Daniels would lead the Blue Devils with 17 points and 4 rebounds.
"Even when they cut the lead to one we still played our game," said Wolf. "To be challenged like that is nothing new to us. I had a good feeling today and I knew in this gym I would have to step up and make my shots."
Even though the Broncos won the battle of the boards 25-22, Warren kept Kenwood off the offensive boards.
"We talked about the importance of rebounding today because they are a really big team," said Ryan. "But, we were physical and a lot of times we limited them to one shot."