Hinsdale South junior forward Zion Griffin knew his team needed to turn things around. A dismal second quarter put them behind 37-28 to Waubonsie Valley on Dec. 26 in the first round of York’s Jack Tosh tournament. His advice was simple: stand down on defense and stay on the floor.
The Hornets recalibrated their defense, avoided the foul trouble that hurt them early and held the Warriors to 11 second-half points en route to a 51-48 victory.
“We had difficult keeping guys in front (in the first half), and they were making all these free throws,” Hinsdale South coach Brett Moore said.
A 6-foot-5 junior, Griffin influenced the game at both ends. He excels as a shot blocker and had two big blocks in the second half. He also helped turn the game around with his offense, finishing with 19 points and adding eight rebounds.
His offensive versatility was apparent as he made layups and mid-range jumpers with ease.
“If I’m open and I got a good look, coach tells me to shoot, but I had to switch it up and keep them guessing,” Griffin said.
Griffin was named to the all-tournament team, averaging 17.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game over four games. He had 19 points and eight rebounds against Waubonsie Valley. The Hornets (7-5 through the holidays) fell to eventual champion Conant in the second round, defeated Sandburg in the consolation bracket and ended the week with a loss to Naperville North.
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Moore praised Griffin’s increased on-court awareness.
“What’s been most impressive this season is that he’s been able to do this so consistently for us,” Moore said. “He’s a great athlete, and he keeps getting better. Today, he was turning around and reading defenses very well, which he wasn’t able to do before.”
Hornets notes
The Hornets’ defense also got key steals from senior guard Michael Stoltz in the fourth quarter, and senior guard Nick Perry secured some big defensive rebounds to help seal the win.
Perry had nine points, and Stoltz had eight for the Hornets. Senior guard Karol Lipiszko had nine points — all from 3-pointers — including the shot that gave the Hornets the lead for good in the fourth.
Chris Vavra is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press