Boys Basketball: Stumpe scores 37 in Plainfield North win over Plainfield Central
By Dick Goss dgoss@stmedianetwork.com February 21, 2013 10:42PM
Updated: March 23, 2013 6:24AM
Plainfield Central coach Steve Lamberti said you can’t give up 78 points and expect to win.
Taking that a step further, giving up 37 points to one scoring machine is not a good idea, either.
Plainfield North 6-foot-4 sophomore forward Trevor Stumpe hit 11-of-19 shots and 14-of-17 free throws for a career-best 37 points Thursday night as the Tigers spoiled Senior Night at Central 78-64.
“He’s a good basketball player, and we told our guys to keep him off the (foul) line because he was feeling it,” Lamberti said. “It’s a credit to him and them that they got him the ball when and where they did.
“We did some good things. We just did not defend the way we needed to.”
Senior guard Marcus Fair scored the first seven points for No. 7 North (13-13, 10-4 in the Southwest Prairie and winner of eight of nine heading into next week’s Class 4A Benet Regional, where Downers Grove North is the Monday opponent). Sophomore forward Jake Nowak took the baton in the second quarter, when he scored 13 of his 15 points. Stumpe poured in 25 in the second half, 16 in the fourth quarter. Senior center Corey Evak contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.
“We’re good in transition and we had a good transition game,” Stumpe said. “I had it going, and coach (Nick DiForti) said he wanted me to have the ball down the stretch.”
“Trevor has developed his game a lot,” DiForti said. “He firmly believes that if he touches the ball he can score.”
Central (7-19, 2-12) last led 14-12 late in the first quarter and trailed by double digits most of the night. But the Wildcats never quit and got as close as 62-58 with 3:13 remaining.
“The way they fought is a testament to their kids and coaching staff,” DiForti said. “They were down about 13 most of the way and we couldn’t get out of that.”
Wildcats junior center Logan Velasquez had 17 points and nine rebounds and senior forward Duvaun Goodlow came up with 16 points and 10 boards. Senior guard Mitch Young added 13 points and freshman forward Justin Windt had nine rebounds.
“Our bigs work well together,” Lamberti said. “We know we have to share the ball to be successful, but sometimes we overpassed.”
Central, whose first regional assignment is rival Minooka on Monday at Thornwood, outrebounded North 39-36 but was hurt by 21 turnovers.
