Boys basketball: McBride enjoys return to Maine East as Hoffman Estates nets tournament title
Hoffman boys basketball coach Peter McBride and his wife Britany gave birth to their second child, a son named Beau, which made 3-year-old daughter Bella a big sister on Dec. 15.
"We're fortunate to be in good health and (it's) nice to be able to do basketball at the same time," McBride said prior to his team's game versus Sandburg in the Maine East Holiday Tournament final Monday evening.
The Park Ridge school brings back very special memories for McBride as this year Hoffman made its tourney debut at the place where he got his start in coaching beginning a four-year stint under Dave Genis back in 2012.
"Maine East has always held a special place in my heart," McBride said as it made the move after being at the Jacobs Hinkle Holiday Classic the previous two winter breaks.
"We've always made an effort to schedule a nonconference game with them so I can come here every other year and keep that relationship alive. It's been a great thing."
The Hawks added to their mentor's positive vibes as they built an early lead and then held off the Eagles for a 72-59 win and the program’s sixth holiday tournament crown (Thanksgiving or Christmas) in McBride's four years at the helm. Hoffman has gone a combined 24-4 in those contests.
"All the credit goes to them this week," McBride said.
"In a tournament you don't have a lot of time to prepare. You're really leaning on your kids just to make plays and play with high energy and effort (plus) control what they can and they've done that. I'm extremely proud of them."
Hoffman Estates (12-3) built a double-digit advantage in the opening quarter that became as high as 36-21 in the second when tournament MVP DaQuan Daniels (game-high 18 points, 12 rebounds) went coast-to-coast on a layup with 4:03 remaining until half.
After an Alwyn Asuncion basket made the score 53-40 with 2:56 left in the third, Sandburg (8-6) used a 16-7 run to get within 60-56 on a basket from Kendall McDowell with 6:07 to play.
The Hawks would regain control of the game thanks to another Daniels drive in the paint with 3:19 left that spurred the game-sealing 12-3 surge for the victory.
Unfortunately as postgame handshakes were just beginning a near-fight ensued that began with taunting from players from both teams.
That led to people coming out onto the floor from the stands. The school staff under the direction of Maine East athletic director Kendall Griffin and a strong presence from the Park Ridge police department quickly quelled the extracurricular activity and got both teams to their respective locker rooms while getting those in attendance out of the fieldhouse.
It marked the second time that the building needed to be cleared as a fire alarm went off midway through the first quarter of the third-place game between Carmel and Grayslake North which the 3-10 Corairs won 51-43 over the 8-7 Knights.
All-tourney honorees Joey Hernandez (17 points) and Torrey Baskin (14 points) sided in the winning effort for Hoffman while 6-2 junior twins William and Jonah Johnson led the Eagles with 17 and 15 points, respectively.