4A sectional semifinal at Elgin
St. Charles North 68, Rockford Auburn 52
Records: St. Charles North 22-8, Rockford Auburn 21-9
Halftime: St. Charles North 45-26
Summary: St. Charles North fired up six three-pointers in the first quarter, three from Zach Hirsch, and hit them all, turning a 9-8 deficit into a 27-16 lead. Auburn struggled from the floor, connecting on only 19 of 61 field goals. The Knights tried to climb back in the game, pulling to within 52-42 with 6 minutes and 17 seconds left in regulation. But the North Stars kicked it into high gear, locking up the win with a 14-3 run. St. Charles ended the evening 9-for-13 from beyond the arc. The North Stars play the winner of Wednesday’s contest between Dundee-Crown and McHenry on Friday.
Top performers: St. Charles North–Nick Neari, 22 points; Josh Mikes, 15 points; Hirsch, 11 points. Auburn -Ayrryous Ford, 17 points, 8 rebounds; Kashif Maxwell, 14 points.
The bonus: “Our game plan was to drive and kick,” Neari said. “Our guards shot lights out.”