York shoots past host Palatine, takes third place

York's boys basketball team nailed 20 of 37 shots from the floor Saturday afternoon and made nearly 50 percent from 3-point range in running away from host Palatine 56-39 to claim third place in the Pirates' Ed Molitor Thanksgiving Classic.

The Dukes fueled their offense with defense. In the third quarter, while breaking Palatine's press, they got easy layins for 6-foot-5 center Patrick Grabowski (13 points) and set up perimeter looks for Rich George, Jack Morrissey (team-high 14 points) and Jack Julian.

Meanwhile, Palatine (2-2) had no field goals in the period, just 1 free throw. And the Pirates committed 8 turnovers in playing themselves out of the game against York's (3-1) quick, sticky match-up zone.

"We really turned it up on defense," said point guard Ryan Camp.

"It was one of those quarters," sighed Palatine coach Eric Millstone, whose club is still assimilating returning football athletes back into the rotation.

While Grabowski was converting press-breaking layup after press-breaking layup, and Morrissey, Camp, George, Julian and Nick Trapani were having their way on the floor, generating open looks and turnovers, Palatine was struggling to hit the shots it had in the first half, which ended in favoor of York 28-27.

Charlie Van Dyke, Matt Ulrich, Matt Mayer and all-tournament selection Chris Refka shot well enough to keep shorter Palatine in contention. But when Palatine isn't hitting or forcing turnovers, the Pirates will be challenged to find scoring opportunities.

"It is what it is," said Millstone. "We have a lot of things to work on."

York, meanwhile, feels ready for an upcoming schedule that will offer plenty of challenges. Lyons Township, West Aurora and Benet Academy are all on the docket.

"We're looking forward to Friday," said Morrissey, referring to a West Suburban Silver matchup with Lyons. "We're a lot better than people think we are."