Vance, Lake Park band together to top Hoffman Estates
The fancy record that Lake Park's boys basketball team has compiled through 20 games has been a pleasant surprise.
After taking down host Hoffman Estates 53-33 Tuesday night in nonconference play, the Lancers improved to 17-3.
"If you would have told me that we would be 17-3 after 20 games before the season started, I would be a little surprised," Lake Park forward Connor Vance said.
Tuesday's 17th win was a one-for-all, all-for-one effort, but Vance carried the flag. He scored 8 of Lake Park's first 10 points as the Lancers got out to a 10-3 lead against the Hawks (4-11).
Vance finished with 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor.
"When Connor has good games, we play well," said Lake Park coach Josh Virostko. "When he hasn't played well we have lost.
"That is a testament to his game. At times, he sacrifices his game for the good of others and the other players give him a lot of credit for what he does on the floor. He has put in a lot of time and it shows. Our seniors are a tight group. It has shown throughout the year."
Vance had to do a lot of summer work when Virostko looked at what a potential line up would look like. Virostko called on Vance to play inside, something the 6-foot-3 senior forward didn't do much of in the previous two years on varsity.
"The team needed me and I had to step up my game," Vance said. "I prepared with my team in lifting weights to get stronger. I like to encourage my teammates when it's warranted. I was taught sportsmanship when I was growing up. That's part of my game - to respect others, including opposing teams and referees."
The Lancers broke out to a 23-7 lead after one quarter and then led 37-13 at halftime.
Christopher Filip backed up Vance with 8 points. Danny Hynes, Michael Karas and Stefan Meccia each had 5 points in a balanced scoring effort.
"You can not turn the ball over as much as we did in the first quarter and expect to win," said Hawks coach Luke Yanule. "They are not a very big team, but they play big. They play smart and play very unselfish."
Hoffman Estates was again without 6-7 junior Brandon Hall (illness) and lost starting guard Robert Jordan in the third quarter due to a leg injury.
Curtis Palucska scored 7 points for Hoffman Estates while Chris Conway and Michael Johnson each had 5.
"What we have to do now is to get back to the drawing board and prepare for Schaumburg," said Yanule, whose team faces the Saxons in a 6 p.m. Saturday game.