Boys Basketball: Stagg eager for showdown vs. Andrew

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:11AM

Stagg’s players probably would have preferred to forget an 81-51 loss to Andrew on Dec. 9.

Coach John Daniels, though, has kept the defeat fresh in their minds.

“We start every practice with 81-51 on our scoreboard,” Daniels said. “When you perform as poorly as we did that game, it’s a way of putting us in our place. It’s a reminder that we need to work harder. Andrew put a whooping on us. How will we react to the second game? I know it’s a great opportunity for our program and our kids.”

Round 2 is Friday night in Palos Hills.

Andrew should be prepared for a far different Stagg team than the one it competed against nearly two months ago.

The Chargers have won three straight and were 11-8 entering play Tuesday. If they hadn’t blown fourth-quarter leads vs. Lemont and Thornwood, their record would be even more impressive.

“We pretty much threw those games away, especially against Thornwood,” Daniels said. “But sometimes when you lose a game, you feel like you won. Overall, we’ve been playing good.”

Young kids such as juniors Sean Dwyer (17 ppg), Steve Kubiak and Kamil Barnas, and sophomore Max Strus, are more seasoned and it’s showed in their recent play.

“Sean is playing much better defense and Brett is doing a much better job of handling the ball and scoring,” Daniels said.

If the Chargers are going to upend No. 1 Andrew, they’re going to need contributions from big men Ryan Dahleen (6 rpg) and Barnas. In the first meeting Dahleen was saddled with foul trouble and Barnas wasn’t a factor.

“Ryan is a big key for us defensively,” Daniels said. “Him being in foul trouble the first time we played hurt us. He’s a great competitor and athlete. “Kamil can give us another inside presence. He’s better understanding his role in our motion offense.”

Marist on a run

Since consecutive losses to St. Viator and Taft, Marist has won 10 of 12.

The RedHawks (17-5), whose third-place finish at the Centralia Christmas Tournament was their best posting since 1991, recorded their first win at St. Patrick’s since 1999.

“We could have gone in one of two directions at that point,” Marist coach Gene Nolan said of the two straight defeats. “Our kids came together. They really believe in each other, work hard and don’t make excuses.”