Giant Rally Overcomes Warriors

A suffocating fourth quarter defense made the difference as the Highland Park High School boys’ basketball team defeated Township High School District 113 rival Deerfield High School, 48-39, Friday in Deerfield.

With Deerfield leading, 36-33, at the end of three periods, Giant David Sachs took control of the game scoring 12 of his game high 19 points in the final quarter. He tied the contest 90 seconds into the fourth on a three pointer but that was not all.

Warrior Michael Alfieri put Deerfield back on top 20 seconds later, 39-36, on a field goal followed by a free throw. His team did not score again the rest of the night as Sachs put the Giants on his back and carried them to victory.

“I’m proud of the way he’s worked on his game,” Highland Park Coach Paul Harris said. “He knew what he needed to do and stepped it up.”

After a two-minute cold spell for both teams, what Sachs did was bring Highland Park within a point, 39-38, with 4:11 remaining and gave the Giants the lead for good with another three-point shot, 41-39, with just under three minutes left.

Deerfield had the upper hand for the first three quarters leading, 10-9, at the end of the first period and 23-20 at intermission. Patrick Burns led the Warriors with 12 points scoring eight of them in the third and Alfieri finished the contest with eight.

Jordan Krawitz chipped in 14 tallies for Highland Park while Luke Norcia contributed 10.

Deerfield is now 4-2 for the season while Highland Park is 3-2. The contest was the Central Suburban League North Division opener for both squads.

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