By: Brian Weitz
The Evanston Wildkits (5-1) came into Tuesday nights matchup with cross conference rival Niles North with the expectation that the ‘Kits would blow the Vikings out of the gym. This was a perfectly reasonable expectation given that Evanston had outscored its previous past four opponents by a combined nearly 80 points, two of those teams: Mt. Carmel and Oak Park were ranked in the top 15 at the time the ‘Kits got their claws on them. The ‘Kits did blow out the visiting Vikings 51-37, but in a fashion that had about the excitement of watching a bear hibernate. Evanston came out completely flat and seemed to lack the intensity and swagger of a top ten team. Using their 3-2 zone, they were able to completely shut down any offense that Niles North tried to run. The Vikings scored only three points in the first quarter and would not get much better as the night went on, scoring just over 9 points per period.
Travis Clark continued to be the rock in the middle for Evanston, putting together his second straight double-double, and maintaining a mind blowing 70% shooting percentage on the season by putting 6/9 shots from the field in the basket. Clark is also averaging 8.3 rebounds per game. However for the rest of Evanston, this night was an offensive disaster. No other player got over 7 points; This coming from a team that previously had three guys over 10 points per game.
“Some guys tend to take things easily, me, I never take things easily” said Clark at the conclusion of Tuesday’s match up. Clark has been a consistent performer every night for Evanston, working hard getting rebounds and baskets, and usually putting the two together. Eight of Clark’s points came on put backs off of the 7 offensive boards he snared. “One thing about Travis is he gets very good position” said Evanston coach Robert Locke Jr.
Eric Dortch had a break out game of sorts, putting together 7 points and 11 rebounds. Additionally, he provided the play of the night, getting high in the air to block a Niles North layup attempt. A transfer first to North Shore Country Day school from Evanston, and now back toEvanston, Dortch has been seeing increasing time in each of his contests back as a Wildkit.
Evanston despite their off night on offense, did play a fantastic game defensively, collecting 9 steals, headed by Zach Morton’s 3. The Vikings could not get any open looks at the basket, as Evanston had a shooters face on all but 10 shots. Evanston’s Coach Locke likes the 3-2 because it takes advantage of the long arms of the Wildkit defenders.
Evanston however shot only 39% from the field and a disturbing 16% from beyond the arc. “Sometimes the hardest games to win are those that you are expected to win” explained coach Locke. He went on to add, We have work to do, but I know we will get better, but it is frustrating”.
Locke however, did promise for a couple of intense practices following Tuesday night’s win, “There has not been enough blood in practice” said Locke, in response to his team’s play. They will have a week to figure it out before taking on Charlie Goro and the Maine South Hawks next Tuesday night.