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Highland Park drops Maine East, evens record
Maine East Freshman Ezeke Omeke (22) plays defense against Highland Park Sophomore Jordan Krawitz (51) during the Varsity Basketball game. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 22, 2013 1:18PM
HIGHLAND PARK — Winning is starting to become a habit for the Highland Park boys basketball team.
After starting the season 2-7, the Giants improved to 9-9 Friday by beating Maine East 46-37 in a Central Suburban North matchup.
“We’re doing the little things every day coach preaches us in practice,” senior forward Sam Shrago said. “Doing those little things makes us better.”
The Giants never trailed in the contest, using a stifling 1-2-2 zone to keep Maine East from getting any rhythm on offense. When Highland Park (4-2 CSL North) was on offense, it played balanced with the basketball. Sophomore guards David Sachs and Luke Norcia continued their development, combining to shoot 3-of-5 from 3-point range while scoring six points apiece.
When Maine East trapped, Sachs and Norcia got the ball to brothers Brandon and Jordan Krawitz in the paint. Senior Brandon Krawitz led the Giants with 12 points — including eight in the third quarter — while sophomore Jordan Krawitz added six.
“All the seniors are leading us really well, and David (Sachs) and Luke (Norcia) are playing amazing,” Jordan Krawitz said. “They work every day in practice feeding the post. They’ve been passing (great) recently. We are getting used to playing as a team.”
Highland Park led 22-14 at the break, then 32-21 after three quarters. The lead swelled to as high as 17 midway through the fourth quarter when Sachs got a steal and layup to make it 43-26 Giants.
Senior Sam Shrago added eight points for Highland Park. Maine East was led by sophomore Ezeke Omeke, who scored 13. Senior Evan Nazzal was the only other Blue Demon in double digits with 11 points.
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper Thursday to read more about the Highland Park boys basketball team.
Highland Park 46, Maine East 37
Highland Park (9-9)
David Sachs 6, Luke Norcia 6, Sam Iden 3, Sam Shrago 8, Brandon Krawitz 12, Jordan Krawitz 8, Josh Weiss 2, Jeremy Levin 3, Tommy Sutker 0, Max Kaplan 0, Rickey Deutsch 0, Adam Bernstein 0
Maine East (5-10)
Abby George 3, Urchit Chokshi 3, Justin Brooks 3, Ezeke Omeke 12, Evan Nazzai 11, Cedelson Rene 3, Marko Protic 0, George Sizos 0, Simon Bazaile 0
Maine East 9-5-7-16 — 37
Highland Park 13-9-10-14 — 46
3-point goals - Highland Park 6 (Shrago 2, Norcia 2, Iden, Sachs), Maine East 4 (Nazzai 2, Brooks, Chokshi). Fouled out - None. Team fouls - Highland Park 6, Maine East 4.
