Boys Basketball: Loyola no match for hot Waukegan squad
BY MATT HARNESS mharness@pioneerlocal.com February 4, 2012 8:54PM
Jack Byrne attempts a three-pointer in Saturday's game between Loyola Academy and Waukegan. | Morgan Glier~Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: March 10, 2012 8:08AM
Loyola simply ran into a better team on Saturday.
Arguably playing some of the best basketball in the Chicago area right now, Waukegan beat the host Ramblers 79-56 as part of the second annual War on the Shore Tournament. Waukegan, which also beat New Trier on Friday, won for the seventh time in a row.
“They definitely are playing well,” said Loyola coach Tom Livatino, whose team fell to 8-14 overall. “We hit a team that is hot. We had a decent first half, but we couldn’t get it going in the second half.”
The Ramblers trailed by 15 points at halftime, and fell behind by as many as 30 in the third quarter. Waukegan didn’t let up in the fourth, either, as the Bulldogs’ lead ballooned to 35 points.
“I was most disappointed in the third quarter,” Livatino said. “I thought we could come out and cut the deficit to under 10, but we did the exact opposite.”
Loyola did a good job on Akeem Springs, who was limited to 10 points. But the Bulldogs turned to Jordan Johnson and Devonte Taylor, who combined for 43 points. Johnson scored 17 of his game-best 23 points in the first half to get Waukegan rolling.
“Sometimes, it’s pick your poison,” Livatino said.
The Ramblers relied almost exclusively on the three-pointer. They made seven in the first half and nine more in the second half on 38 attempts. Chris Sullivan led Loyola with 15 points, all coming on threes. Jack Morrissey drilled four threes for 12 points. Peter Pujals contributed 10 points.
“That’s far and away the most threes we’ve attempted all year, and that may be too many,” Livatino said. “But that’s one of the things we do well — shoot the ball. But we also have to make sure we are aggressive and attack the basket.”
It was a breakout weekend for Sullivan. The 6-foot-1 sophomore scored 10 points in a 53-48 win over Gordon Tech on Friday, and followed up with a career-high on Saturday.
“He was a bright spot,” Livatino said. “We also asked him to learn a different position last weekend. He did it, and he played hard.”
Sullivan is the third brother to play for the Ramblers. Peter and Matt both were Ramblers before going on to play at Brown.
“We are happy with how Chris did, and he continues to improve,” Livatino said. “He will continue to get more varsity reps.”
North Shore teams fell to 1-5 in the tournament. In two seasons, the Ramblers are the only team to win a tourney game.
Livatino said he’s already thinking about next year’s War on the Shore.
“I thought it was a good second year,” he said. “Our biggest thing with the tournament is raising awareness for the Danny Did Foundation. I also thought it was a good slate of games. I’d be a little happier if the North Shore teams won some games.”
Loyola was scheduled to play Niles West on Tuesday, and will face Fenwick on Friday before drawing a rematch with St. Ignatius. The Wolfpack beat the Trevians in War on the Shore play.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment