Boys Basketball: Demons lack energy during setback to Giants

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1/19/12. Park Ridge. Maine East's Ezeke Omeke runs into Highland Park's Ross Chukerman as he maneuvers in for a shot. Highland Park took on Maine East at Maine East High School. | Tracy Allen~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:32AM

Maine East had no answer for the spirited effort of Highland Park, as the Giants dictated the flow of the game on both ends of the floor to crush the Blue Demons 64-37 on Jan. 19.

Aaron Shannon knocked down 15 points for Maine East, but the show was stolen by Highland Park’s venerable coach, Paul Harris, who notched his 200th victory.

“That is a very well-coached team,” said Maine East head coach Dave Genis. “They are very understanding of the team concept and buy into what the team is trying to accomplish.”

Genis said the Blue Demons (4-13) have demonstrated they can hang with stiff competition, but that they simply came out flat against Highland Park.

“We lost some of the speed that we showed in our last matchup with Highland Park,” Genis said. “In all facets, we came out flat and more slow — our passes, our thoughts, our movements. That is something these guys can regain.”

The Blue Demons were able to adjust in the later stages, Genis said, but it was too little, too late.

“Highland Park carved out a niche for themselves with their three-quarter pressure and halfcourt zone,” Genis said. “Once we reacted, we started passing over their zone, and that was effective for us.”

Genis said he’s fielding a team that lacks experience, but he believes the Blue Demons have what it takes to be competitive.

“This a young team,” Genis said. “At one point, I believe I had all underclassmen on the court, including two freshmen. But with the more minutes they get, the more quickly they are growing.”

Genis said there’s still time for his team to turn it around.

“We still have eight or nine ballgames to go,” he said. “We need to attack practice with new energy. We put these guys in situations that rely on high energy. They lost the sense for the speed of the game (vs. Highland Park).”

Giants senior guard Jake Norcia keyed the rout with 12 first-half points, cutting off several Blue Demons passes to lead a surging fast-break offense in helping to deliver Harris a memorable victory.

“It just means I’m getting older,” Harris quipped. “But this is a milestone for this program, for the team — not an individual. It’s been rewarding to see the improvement of all the players over the years.”

The Giants (10-6) looked inspired across the board from the onset, especially Ross Chukerman, who delivered a fierce performance in the paint, hammering in a game-high 21 points. Norcia finished with 18 points, eight assists and five steals.

Harris said that he was pleased with his squad’s wherewithal, considering it was finals week.

“They came out very sharp,” he said. “Their routine has been altered this week because of finals, but they came out and responded in a big way.”

The Blue Demons were to host Buffalo Grove at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and welcome Maine West on Friday.