Weekend sweep for Warhawks at MLK Classic
By Clyde Travis Special to The News-Sun January 21, 2013 8:04PM
JaVairius Amos-Mays. | SUN-TIMES MEDIA FILE PHOTO
PREP BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD
GIRLS TUESDAY’S GAMES North Suburban Lake
Fox Valley Fox
Grayslake North at Johnsburg, 7
BOYS TUESDAY’S GAMES
Fox Valley Fox
Grayslake North at Crystal Lake Central, 7
Hampshire at Woodstock, 7
North Suburban Prairie
North Chicago at Antioch, 7
Wauconda at Grant, 7
Lakes at Round Lake, 7
North Suburban Lake
Warren at Stevenson, 7
Zion-Benton at Libertyville, 7
Nonconference
Notre Dame at Waukegan, 7:30
Lake Forest at St. Viator, 7
Hope Academy of Chicago at Lake Forest Academy, 6
Article Extras
Updated: March 23, 2013 1:40AM
It was an equal-opportunity trip for North Chicago as it defeated Thornton Fractional North 59-57 in the Martin Luther King Dream Classic on Monday at Young High School in Chicago.
The victory completed a sweep for the Warhawks — defeating a city team, a suburban team and a Catholic League team over the holiday weekend. While each game was close, the Warhawks were more than up for the challenge.
North Chicago (20-1) led 40-31 at halftime before the Meteors’ Greg McClain scored eight points in a 12-3 run that tied the score at 43-43 with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter. From that point on, there were five ties and five lead changes.
With the score tied at 57-57, the Meteors went into a delay in the final minutes. But their layup attempt was blocked by Joseph Thomas, who sprinted the floor and converted the game-winning layup with 22 seconds remaining. North Chicago then used a smothering man-to-man defense that forced the Meteors (15-5) into a desperation shot with one second remaining in the game.
JaVairius Amos-Mays led three Warhawks in double figures with a game-high 22 points. Emmanuel January added 14, Big Kurt Hall had 11 and Thomas finished with nine.
North Chicago coach Gerald Coleman said the MLK Tournament was a good barometer to find out where his team is and what they have to get ready for down the stretch.
“I’m trying to get my rotation to nine players,” Coleman said. “It is time to see who wants to step up.”
Mays said the trip to Chicago has been helpful.
“Chicago plays a more aggressive and physical style of basketball,” Mays said. “You find yourself playing a lot of man-to-man and if you are not ready, you will get exposed. It only helps to make us better.”
