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Glenbrook North gets past Highland Park
Highland Park's Sam Iden smacks teammate Sam Shrago acidentally as Glenbrook North's Kurt Karis elevates during Friday's game. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 2, 2013 12:25AM
NORTHBROOK — Glenbrook North coach David Weber knew his boys basketball team could be in for a much tougher time against Highland Park on Friday. Turns out he was right.
Despite the scare, Weber’s team held on for a 44-40 win over the Giants.
The Spartans had cruised to a 44-20 victory over Highland Park in December, but it was clear early that victory in the rematch would not come easily. This time, Highland Park stayed with Glenbrook North until late, when the Spartans closed the game at the free throw line.
Weber said after the game that he was concerned his team would come out flat following the group’s effort in practice this week. Unlike the previous meeting, when Glenbrook North led 26-7 at halftime, the game was tied at 20-20 at the half Friday.
“It was hard to prepare them this week,” Weber said. “The second time facing a team is always different, but ... it’s difficult with teenagers. You have to fight perceptions, and they didn’t react well early. Credit to (Highland Park).”
While the Spartans weren’t sharp defensively, senior forward Andrew McAuliffe kept them in the game offensively, scoring the team’s first six points and 10 of its 12 points in the first quarter. He finished with a game-high 21.
“I just credit my teammates,” said McAuliffe, who surpassed 1,000 career points in his previous game. “They were looking for me, and I was able to get inside.”
The game grew chippy in the second half, with six team fouls called in the third quarter. Jason Markus hit a pair of free throws to make it 41-37 with 41.7 seconds left. He finished with 10 points.
A bright spot for Highland Park was the return of senior forward Brandon Krawitz, who was back after missing two games with a concussion. Coming off the bench in spots, Krawitz finished with 13 points. Brandon’s brother, sophomore forward Jordan Krawitz, did not play because of a knee injury.
“We just came up short,” Highland Park coach Paul Harris said. “But I’m really proud of the effort.”
The Giants were led by sophomore guard David Sachs, who scored 10 of his 15 points in the first half.
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Thursday to read more about the Glenbrook North and Highland Park boys basketball teams.
