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Spartans' junior scores 28 points in 65-53 win
MAPLE PARK – Grant McConkey put on a show Friday with 28 points, leading Sycamore to a 65-53 victory over Kaneland.
Sycamore (2-3, 1-0 Northern Illinois Big 12) found its stroke in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Knights, 18-10, down the stretch.
With McConkey garnering attention from the defense, players such as Lukas Overhaug and Jackson Johnson stepped up with key baskets to seal the game. Spartans coach Ryan Picolotti said that Sycamore found a groove as McConkey started to heat up.
“McConkey got us going; he had a heck of a game,” Picolotti said. “Everyone else kind of followed suit…We made some threes and got to the boards, getting into a good rhythm. Defensively, we were pretty solid. It was a nice run there at the end.”
McConkey said his high point totals were indicative of the way the Spartans’ offense flowed around him.
“Especially in the second half, we showed the chemistry that we built,” McConkey said. “It was just a post screen at the top of the key, and they didn’t know how to guard it. I was just using my speed to get to the hoop. I’m pretty sure it was all layups because I didn’t have a shot."
Although the Bears don’t play until Sunday, Picolotti said that Bears coach Matt Nagy’s coaching philosophy gave him the idea to put the game into the hands of his players, having faith in their abilities and allow those players as individuals to let their basketball personalities shine.
“Nagy has a thing on his play sheet that says, ‘Be you,’ ” Picolotti said. “So, I put that on the board. In terms of the kids, be you. Be who you are. You know your strengths. Play ball. I put up for me, ‘Less is better.’ As coaches, we can draw up these great plays, but sometimes you just have to go out and let your players make plays.”
Kaneland (1-4, 0-1 NIB 12) hung with the Spartans the whole game, but faltered down the stretch with several empty possessions in crunch time.
Coach Russ Zick pointed to conditioning as a problem for his squad.
“We didn’t fight through fatigue very well,” Zick said. “They were able to fight us pretty hard. “They seemed like they were the more physical team and that the game meant a little bit more to them than it did to us.”
Bryce Ebert led the Knights in scoring with 18 points.
By the numbers: The Knights came out firing in the first quarter, giving the Spartans all they could handle. From there, however, the Spartans outscored the Knights, 57-41.
Beyond the stats: McConkey had a fine cut to the basket where he was fouled and flipped the ball at the glass and got it to go.
Unfortunately for him and the Spartans, the foul was ruled to be on the floor, meaning that McConkey had to settle for a one-and-one scenario, where he split.
They said it: “Early in the season, sometimes the kids may want out, but we want them to fight through that,” Zick said. “You can get in shape during a game too, besides practice. It’s November. We’re going to have them stay out there maybe a little longer than we would if it were a regional game.”
Up next: Sycamore will host Burlington Central at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Kaneland will play next in West Chicago at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Kaneland senior Chris Angelotti and Sycamore junior De'Shaun Harris get tangled up going after a lose ball during their game Friday at Kaneland High School.
Sycamore senior Grayson Burns goes to the basket against Kaneland senior Wyatt Peeler during their game Friday at Kaneland High School.
Kaneland junior Brett David grabs a rebound in front of Sycamore junior Jason Hayes during their game Friday at Kaneland High School.