Boys Basketball: Metea Valley outlasts Kaneland
Updated: November 29, 2011 9:40PM
Metea Valley continued its fast start, running its record to a perfect 5-0 by shooting lights out (59 percent) to claim an 87-65 decision over Kaneland Tuesday night in a nonconference game in a game that got ragged.
The teams combined for 59 fouls and 63 free throw attempts.
“They got back into it in the first half because we got lazy and started fouling and they didn’t miss many,” said Metea Valley coach Bob Vozza, whose team won the Joliet West Tournament last week.
The Mustangs reeled off 11 straight points early in the first quarter to take control. They led 25-14 after one period and by as many as 17 (38-21) in the second before the Knights closed with a 14-5 run and trailed by only eight (43-35) at the break.
“I stressed (playing good defense) at halftime but I looked up in the third quarter and we’re both already in the bonus,” said Vozza.
Sean Davis, one of four Mustang players in double figures, led the early charge by scoring 17 of his game-high 22 points in the first half. When he went to the bench with three fouls in the third, teammate Milan Bojanic picked up the slack, scoring 13 of his 19 in the period.
“My point guards found me and I got going early,” said Davis.
Kenny Obendorf added 13 points and Raysean Parker came off the bench to score 10 for Metea Valley.
Bojanic played against good friend and summer Illinois Attack travel teammate Marcel Neil of the Knights.
“He hit a (three-point) shot in my face early in the third and that got me going,” said Bojanic. “They’re a scrappy team and Marcel and I wanted to beat each other. For a 3A team, they’re pretty good.”
Neil, a transfer from West Aurora, led the Knights with 17 points before fouling out with 5:42 remaining. Drew David came off the bench to throw in 10 and junior Dan Miller scored all eight of his points on free throws.
“They’re a quality 4A team and having them on our schedule will make us better come conference time,” said Kaneland coach Brian Johnson. “They’re very well coached and disciplined and every guy down there can shoot.”
Both teams pressured the ball, helping lead to 25 Kaneland turnovers and 22 by the Mustangs.
“We had the same situation last week where teams pressured us and when that happens, I want us to be aggressive with the ball because it can result in easy looks,” said Vozza, whose team finished 27 of 46 from the floor.
Kaneland, now 2-2, made 43 percent (18-42) but was out-rebounded 31-21.
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