CN100 Game of the Week preview: Boys Basketball - Niles North vs. Highland Park

Boys Basketball: Niles North vs. Highland Park

Game Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Broadcast Dates/Times: Sunday, Feb. 15, Noon and 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m., on CN100, The Comcast Network.

Where: Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park.

Records (as of 2/11/15): Niles North (17-8 overall, 5-3 Central Suburban North), Highland Park (17-4 overall, 6-2 Central Suburban North).

Key players: Niles North: Crishawn Cook, Jr., G; Craig Dawkins, Jr., G; Abby George, Sr., G; Danilo Ranger, Sr., F; Diondre Williams, Jr., G. Highland Park: Jason Beermann, Sr., G; Jordan Krawitz, Sr., F; Hallvard Lundevall, Sr., F; Luke Norcia, Sr., G; David Sachs, Sr., G.

Fast Facts: Two similar teams which are both playing well as of late face off in this game. Highland Park beat highly-touted St. Joseph, which has propelled them to five straight wins heading into the meeting with Niles North. The Giants are a balanced group, led by Norcia and Sachs. The guards are each averaging 11.4 points per game and set the tone for the team’s stellar ball movement. Sachs averages 4.6 assists per game. They also generate turnovers with Norcia swiping 35 steals and Sachs collecting 32 steals. Krawitz is a steady presence and Lundevall controls the paint with 4.9 rebounds per game, 12 blocked shots and 30 steals. Niles North is also a balanced team that has been playing well of late, picking up wins over Glenbard North and Schurz last weekend. George leads the team in scoring, but Cook is the heart and soul, filling the stat sheet on a nightly basis. Dawkins and Williams also start. Dawkins guards the opposing team’s point guard on defense. Williams has been scoring more as of late. Ranger is the X-factor. The 6-foot-6 senior, a three-year varsity player, is finally back to 100 percent after suffering a severe ankle sprain early in the season. While the team relies on production from juniors, Coach Glenn Olson lauds his senior class’ leadership and work ethic.

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