McCormack nets 400th victory

Conant and its basketball fans took a moment to pause on Saturday in Skokie to celebrate a special milestone.

Conant (17-4) defeated host Niles North 47-29 in the nonconference boys game to hand head coach Tom McCormack his 400th career victory.

McCormack has compiled a 400-258 record in his 24-year coaching career, 23 which have been at Conant.

McCormack was quick to deflect the credit to his players and coaches who have played a part in his accomplishments.

"It goes more toward all the people who have been a part of all these," said McCormack, who coached one year at Immaculate Conception. "A lot of great players, great kids, great assistant coaches, and administrators.

"It's been great experience and hopefully we'll get a few more before the season is over."

Senior Tom Mahr scored a game-high 13 points, and senior Tony Rizzo added 11 points to lead a potent Cougar offense which shot 53-percent (17-for-32).

"We all knew about it, but we didn't really want to talk about it," said Mahr of McCormack's impending milestone entering the game. "We just wanted to make sure we got it."

"We're a direct reflection of him," added Rizzo, "He's a great coach and I'm glad we got this win for him."

The Cougars defense, which has been a fixture of a McCormack coached team, was once again solid limiting, the Vikings to 26 percent shooting (10-for-39).

"Our program, 'hard, smart, and together,' that's what we stress," said senior guard Tommy Sotos, "And it's no more evident than on our defense end.

"For all these years that's what it's been about and I don't know anybody better at it, who can get you to play like that."

Niles North (6-15) led 6-5 late in the first quarter, but Conant used a 9-0 run to close the first quarter in taking a 14-6 advantage. Senior center Chris Hoffman scored 6 points.

Conant extended its advantage to 20-9 at halftime and after Rizzo converted on two drives to begin the third quarter the lead was 15 points.

But Niles North used a 7-0 run late in third quarter to narrow the deficit to 28-20, as the Cougars offense stalled with 5 of its 19 turnovers.

"We weren't real happy about that," said McCormack of the turnovers. "We figure turnovers are going to cost us about a point a possession and that's a lot of points to give away."

But Cougars defense, which has held opponents to 34.3 points in its 7-game winning streak, stiffened. The offense used an 8-0 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters in taking a commanding lead with 36-20 lead with 6:25 remaining.

"It's something we've taken pride in all year," said Mahr of the Cougars defense. "And it's great to hold a team under 30 in coach's 400th win."

David Kushnir led Niles North with 10 points and Ramin Zacharia added 6 points for the Vikings.