Kaneland makes good impression

Several familiar boys basketball coaches from the Western Sun Conference were scouting Kaneland during its game against Plainfield Central Tuesday.

The Knights sure put on a display for them, as they posted their best game of the season in the 79-56 win over the Cougars in nonconference action in Maple Park.

"It was our best all-around performance from top to bottom, from first quarter to the fourth quarter, by far," Kaneland coach Dennis Hansen said.

"This was a big power boost for us, especially with Geneva on the horizon," Kaneland sophomore Dave Dudzinski added, as the Knights will take on Western Sun Conference rival Geneva on Friday.

The Knights never trailed and were able to build their first double-digit lead in the first quarter. Plainfield, however, ended that quarter on a 6-0 run and continued it with a trey in the opening minute of the second. All 9 points were scored by Mike Bumber, who brought the Cougars within 15-14.

Kaneland (4-5) answered with a 9-0 run, led by back-to-back 3-pointers from Steve Colombe and Ryley Bailey that guided the Knights to a 24-14 lead.

The Knights maintained the double-digit lead until Plainfield's Neil Coveli nailed a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer that made the score 37-28 at the break.

Kaneland started the second half off on the right foot on a 7-0 run, led by three different starters.

After a Plainfield timeout, it responded by scoring the next 6 points, cutting Kaneland's lead to 44-34 with 4:22 left in the quarter.

But once again, the Knights responded with a run. This time, they scored 10 consecutive points, led by Nate Peters, Bailey and Dudzinski.

When the run was completed, Kaneland led 54-34 and ended up outscoring Plainfield 25-12 in the third quarter.

The largest lead the Knights had was 71-42 after a lay-in from Brody Root with just under 4 minutes left to play.

Kaneland displayed a nice inside and outside game with Dudzinski leading the way in the paint with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Guards Kevin Green (11 points), Nick Wagner (12 points) and Bailey (8 points), along with Colombe (11 points), a forward off the bench, combined for all 9 of the Knights' 3-pointers.

"It seems like (3-point shooting) was contagious," Hansen said. "Once someone starts shooting well, everyone else does. It can happen the other way too, but tonight was good. Everyone was shooting the ball well."