Boys Basketball: Curie topples Plainfield North
By Michael O’Brien mobrien@suntimes.com December 27, 2012 9:48PM
Marcus fair of Plainfield North moves to the inside against Curie. | Patrick Gleason~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 29, 2013 6:22AM
PONTIAC — Plainfield North’s Nick DiForti earned his reputation as an up-and-coming young coach a few years back at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament.
There wasn’t much that coaching could do Thursday against Curie and Cliff Alexander. The Tigers hung around for three quarters, but the 6-foot-9 junior was just too much to handle in the end as the Condors beat Plainfield North 64-46 in the first-round game.
“The thing is that even if you do focus everything on him, Curie has three guards that can burn you,” DiForti said.
Curie led 29-24 at halftime and by nine after three quarters. Alexander just kept getting better throughout the game, finishing with 24 points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots.
Early in the fourth quarter, a slam by Alexander slightly damaged the net and the rim. It’s unknown if that happened before in the 82-year history of the tournament.
Marcellis Davis added 12 points for Curie (5-4).
The game was a showcase for Plainfield North sophomore Trevor Stumpe, who scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds. Stumpe was hurt at the start of the season and was playing in his sixth game.
“Trevor is very confident,” DiForti said. “He plays well when the spotlight is on and he certainly stepped up to the occasion (Thursday).”
Kendall Interial and Jake Nowak each added seven points for the Tigers (4-8).
