Analysis: Offensive Balance, Defensive Intensity Key to Mustangs' Success

Downers Grove South's coaches and players preach the mantra of playing balanced offense and good defense. 

That mantra has been put into practice out on the court, too. Take the Mustangs' 81-35 boys basketball victory over Addison Trail on Wednesday night.

The win was the Mustangs' 16th straight and sent them into postseason play riding on a high note. Every player who stepped out on the court contributed at least one basket on offense and contributed to a defense that limited Addison Trail to 35 points. 

“We just want to keep playing as a team every single night,” Downers South guard Danielius Jurguitis said. 

In the first quarter, the Mustangs scored 23 points. Six different players scored at least three points during the stretch. The Mustangs also had nine team rebounds and six steals. The stats were spread out between five different players.

Downers South continued its torrid pace throughout the game, building a 59-26 lead after three quarters. Coach Jay Baum rested his starters and let his second-and third-stringers play in the fourth quarter. 

And there wasn’t a lot of difference from the first three quarters.

Junior backup guard Kevon James led the Mustangs with nine of his 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting in the fourth quarter. He handled the offense like a seasoned pro, distributing the ball to his teammates and trying to create opportunities on defense. Five different players, led by James, scored in the fourth quarter and the Mustangs outscored the Blazers 22-9.

“He (James) is a real good kid," Baum said. "Works hard every single day, never complains. I’m very proud of him."

The Mustangs, who are off until next Tuesday when they will play in the West Aurora Regional as the No. 2 seed, will go as far as their team play and defense allows them to in the postseason. The talent and the dedication, given their remarkable winning streak, is there. 

“The team is smart enough to realize that every game, no matter who you’re playing, is important,” Baum said. 

Additional Note: The Mustangs achieved their win without guard Jerron Wilbut, who sat out as a result of a coach’s decision. He will play on Tuesday in West Aurora.

Stats Pack: The Mustangs had one of their best shooting nights of the season, going 37-of-65 (57 percent) from the field. 

Play of the Night: Blazers forward Steven Agosto, trying to tip in the ball on a rebound, got the ball wedged in the corner of the iron instead. It seemed to exemplify the night the Blazers had on the whole.

Past History: The Mustangs beat the Blazers 72-50 in Addison Trail on Jan. 22.

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