Boys basketball: Waukegan cruises by Maine South

Updated: December 23, 2011 10:10PM

Waukegan senior Akeem Springs scored 12 of his game-high 21 points in third quarter and the Bulldogs outscored Maine South 19-4 in that frame to break open a close game Friday night in Park Ridge.

The Bulldogs led by four at halftime, but cruised to a 62-43 victory.

Waukegan (4-5, 3-1 Central Suburban South) held the Hawks (6-3, 2-2) without a shot for the first four minutes of the third quarter, forcing five turnovers in the process. After leading 29-25 at the break, Waukegan began the fourth quarter with a 48-29 advantage and pushed the lead to 23 in the fourth quarter.

“Defensively, we’re crafting a little identity,’’ Bulldogs coach Ron Ashlaw said. ‘‘It’s a different identity than some people have associated with Waukegan.

‘‘We don’t have to be a showtime defensive team, we just have to be a good, fundamentally sound and consistent defensive team.”

Offensively, the Bulldogs had little trouble with Maine South’s matchup zone, hitting 10 three-pointers in the contest.

Springs hit four three-pointers, three during the decisive third quarter.

Junior Devonte Taylor added 14 points for Waukegan, and junior point guard Jordan Johnson scored 11.

“I thought we shared the ball. We were in the Christmas spirit,” Ashlaw said. “It was our best ball-sharing of the season, which was instrumental. Our shots are better when we play like that. They just go down more frequently.”

Maine South hit three first-quarter three-pointers, and led by as many as four points in that period.

Waukegan opened a six-point lead in the second quarter. But there was little indication the game would become lopsided.

Junior John Solari led the Hawks with 12 points, senior Andrew Vey scored 10.

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