No. 9 Waukegan awakens, storms past Maine S.
By Drake Skleba
With a little more than three minutes to play in this early season Central Suburban League South Division showdown, unbeaten Maine South led 43-39 over ninth-ranked Waukegan Tuesday in Park Ridge.
As if Bulldog head coach Ron Ashlaw turned on a switch, the highly-ranked Bulldogs exploded for a 15-1 run to close out the game and escape with a clutch 54-44 conference road win.
"We really picked up our game on defense," said Ashlaw. "We cut off their passing lanes and our athletic abilty took over. Anton (Williams) and Quan (Connor) stepped up big in the fourth quarter for us."
Indeed they did!
Williams scored on a old-fashioned three-point play to bring the 'Dogs within 43-42. He then picked up a steal at half court that led to his lay-up and a one point Waukegan lead.
Williams had a big night for Waukegan (6-2, 2-0). The 6-foot-5 senior scored 13 points, and had seven rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals.
"This was a big road victory for us," said Williams. "We had lost a couple of games and we wanted to get back on the right track before Thursday's game in Iowa.
"I kept my composure and played well. We all just did the things we had to do and get this victory tonight."
On Maine South's next possession, senior guard Connor had a big block that triggered a thunderous slam from Illinois-bound Jeremy Richmond and the run was on.
"We really picked up our intensity on defense," said Connor. "Whenever I play I play hard and we all really played well when it counted down the stretch."
A steal and dunk fest followed for the Bulldogs. Senior G Mike Springs had three steals in the run that led to slams by Richmond and Williams.
Connor joined the dunk fest and the game was in the book.
Richmond struggled with his shooting all night and scored only nine points. He made up for it with 13 boards and five blocked shots.
Waukegan senior G Aaron Johnson kept the Bulldogs in contention with a team-high 17 points, all coming in the first three stanzas.
Maine South (6-1, 1-1), played superb basketball for 29 minutes. The Hawks were led by 6-foot-6 junior F Matt Palucki, who recorded a double double with 16 points and 10 boards.
Senior guards P.J. Killean (14 points, five rebounds) and Justin Wasik (10 points, four rebounds, two blocks) had solid games for the Hawks.
