Hornets hot start no problem for Proviso East

Friday, Feb. 4, 2011
Posted 10:48 p.m.
By George M. Wilcox
YourSeason.com

For a team that was unable to practice all week, Proviso East looked like it was playing in slow motion for the first quarter.But the No. 13 Pirates found a way to rally behind leading scorer Keith Carter's game-high 22 points and reserve guard Michael Nicholas scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half as Proviso East won 75-67 Friday night at Hinsdale South in the West Suburban Gold.Hinsdale South (14-8, 5-4) made its first 10 shots from the floor in the first quarter to take a 27-14 lead. The Pirates (16-3, 7-1), which won for the ninth time in their last 10 games, chipped away and eventually tied the game at 32 at halftime."We hadn't practiced all week (because of the blizzard)," Nicholas said. "Somehow we picked it up in the second quarter."Carter and Tino Vazquez (11 points) each outscored Hinsdale South's entire team in the second quarter. Carter had eight points, Vazquez added six and the Hornets had five points. Andy Nkansah (10 points) scored both of Hinsdale South's baskets in the second quarter."We had a great start, but we were too content to trade jump shots with them," Hinsdale South coach Vince Doran said. "You have to fight like crazy and not allow them too many easy baskets."The Hornets led 23-7 in turnovers. Brock Benson (12 rebounds) and leading scorer Phil George scored 20 points each for Hinsdale South while Joe Petrak added 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting beyond the three-point arc."I think the second quarter hurt us," Benson said. "Besides that, I think we played pretty well. We all played at 100 percent. It was a learning experience. I think we can keep this going for the rest of the season."George scored 11 points in the first quarter and made his first three three-point attempts to start the game, but did not score in the third quarter when Proviso outscored Hinsdale 21-16. Hinsdale South entered the game with five wins in its last six games.Proviso East won the previous meeting 66-45 on Dec. 17 in Maywood. The Pirates host district rival Proviso West at 2:30 p.m. Saturday."It was a good game, but we're looking forward to Proviso West," Nicholas said. "We don't want to overlook anybody."