Defense will be key for Christian Liberty in regional final

If Christian Liberty's boys basketball program wants to keep moving on then it can't afford to be off in a crucial part of its game tonight.

When the second-seeded Chargers host the Class 1A regional championship game at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Gym in Arlington Heights they need to consistently stop top-seed North Shore Country Day.

"Our fundamental defense wasn't too great and we gave them a lot of second-chance points," CLA coach Ken Kramer said of a 52-45 loss at North Shore on Feb. 16. "If we play the same defense we did (Wednesday's 55-41 semifinal win over Elgin Academy) we'll be alright.

"Sometimes we're hit or miss on defense and we have to decide if we really want to buckle down and shut them down defensively. If we decide we're going to do that we can be a great defensive team."

And that's what the Chargers (11-14) will need to win a regional title in just their second year of IHSA competition. The winner advances to Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. Mooseheart sectional semifinal.

Christian Liberty's record last year was 14-10 as it lost in the regional semifinal. But this year's schedule was upgraded and included Thanksgiving tournament losses to 4A schools Elgin, Buffalo Grove and Stevenson.

And the Chargers present a dilemma for opposing defenses in 5-foot-11 junior Luke Comerouski (17.7 ppg). Comerouski has scored 20 or more points in six of his last eight games.

"It's amazing because everybody is ready for him and he's still scoring," Kramer said. "That creates opportunities for everybody else."

Comerouski and 6-3 junior Ben Thomas (9.7 ppg) had double-doubles Wednesday. Junior Mike Hennek (7.2 ppg) and junior point guard Matt Litzenberger (5.8) have also had double-figure scoring games.

Christian Liberty led by 4 points at halftime in the first meeting when Kramer said North Shore switched from a 1-2-2 zone to a man-to-man defense.

"We're definitely more ready for them this time," Kramer said. "We weren't quite sure what to expect, but they do have a little bit of a height advantage and that changes a couple of things."