Boys Basksetball: T.F. South can’t keep up with North Lawndale

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Updated: February 10, 2012 9:05AM

Julius Thompson was frustrated by the way North Lawndale was starting games.

“We’ve been very slow and sluggish at the beginning, and we wanted to be aggressive and come out and be ready to take the lead,” the senior Phoenix guard said.

Thompson hit two three-pointers in the first quarter and teammate Antwon Singleton followed his lead by scoring a game-high 18 points as North Lawndale ran past T.F. South 62-48 at the Bob Hambric Shootout at T.F. North in Calumet City on Sunday.

After scoring eight points in the first quarter, Thompson finished with 11 points to support Singleton, who hit a three-pointer and scored five points in the opening quarter.

Behind the play of the two guards, the Phoenix (9-4) jumped out to a 17-2 lead.

“We were looking for opportunities to score, either off the press or missed baskets,” Singleton said.

North Lawndale doubled thei score, 34-17, at the break.

Behind the play of guard Kenny Doss (13 points), the Rebels fought back, pulling to within eight points at the end of the third quarter. Singleton drilled a three-pointer from the left wing. Thompson drilled a three-pointer from the right baseline at the third quarter buzzer to restore the lead to 47-35.

“I was very pleased and happy with the way we fought back,” T.F. South coach John O’Rourke said. “I wasn’t happy that we allowed them so many run outs. We’re just not the kind of team that can allow to get into that kind of hole to start the game.”

Sophomore forward Keith Mack scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter for the Phoenix. Kyle Odom also contributed nine for North Lawndale.

Robert Ryan added 11 points for the Rebels (9-6).

“We just didn’t match their full-court pressure and intensity at the start of the game,” Doss said.