Boys Basketball: Bolingbrook preps for McDipper
By Tina Akouris takouris@suntimes.com December 25, 2012 5:12PM
Updated: January 27, 2013 6:21AM
Bolingbrook won each of its games last week — in strikingly different manners — as the Raiders ended their preparation for the McDipper Tournament at Rich South.
The Raiders beat Romeoville 64-34, as star Ben Moore played just the first quarter and the Raiders’ other starters played one half. The reserves logged a great deal of minutes and were able to gain valuable game experience.
Later in the week Bolingbrook defeated highly regarded Glenbard West 68-53, not putting the game in hand until the fourth quarter when the Raiders switched to a 3-2 zone defense for the first time all season.
It all will pay off, hopefully, if Bolingbrook plays on the final night of the McDipper.
“It’s a tough tournament and one of the best ones in the state for a reason,” Bolingbrook coach Rob Brost said. “That’s why we play in it, because we feel we’re one of the best teams in the state as well.
“Right off the bat we have King at 9 a.m. (Wednesday), so our bus is going to leave at 7,” Brost said. “We have to be ready, because they are a good ballclub. They will be a challenge for us.”
The Raiders’ best finishes at the McDipper included fifth place in 2009 and the consolation champions in ’08.
Getting closer
Providence senior Kevin Kozan is trying hard to not pay attention to a milestone that he likely could attain get when the Celtics play in the Hinsdale South Tournament this week. Kozan needs just two points to reach 1,000 for his career.
“I’m pretty excited about that. It was my goal coming into high school,” Kozan said. “There’s only seven guys from Providence (with more than 1,000 points), so I hope I can do it.”
Kozan is unaware of how many points he needed for the mark. He isn’t really keeping track.
“At the end of the year last year (coach Tim Trendel) gave us a sheet to keep track, but during the season I don’t look at my statistics,” Kozan said.
Kozan is coming off a career-high 36-point performance Friday night against Fenwick.
