Chicago-Area High School Football News and Scores | Season Pass

The Maine South boys basketball team continued losing the wrong player in the first half Friday, but the Hawks figured it out soon enough and remained undefeated with their 43-33 win over the Wolves.

After allowing 18 points in the first eight minutes, the Hawks (7-0 overall, 2-0 Central Suburban South) held the Wolves (5-2, 0-2) to five field goals over the final three quarters, including three in the second half, with their matchup zone.

On consecutive defensive possessions in the fourth quarter, Maine South blocked a shot in the lane and took a charge, proving how much of a challenge it was for Niles West to score on the Hawks.

Senior guard Frank Dounis secured the win with a steal and then assisted Andrew Palucki’s layup on the other end to give the Hawks a 42-33 lead with 1:20 to go in the game.

“People scout us and know about us,” said Maine South senior forward Danny Quinn, who scored a game-best 12 points. “It’s our execution that sets us apart. We adjust well.”

Niles West took a 25-21 lead into the half on Ahmad Gibson’s basket, but the Wolves were shut out for nearly eight minutes during the third and fourth quarters.

Meanwhile, Quinn scored off a pass from Dounis to put the Hawks ahead 38-27 with 4:36 remaining in the fourth.

Joe Younan, who hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter, and Romeo Magloire then each scored baskets to pull the Wolves within striking distance.

“It’s a good zone, but we know it,” said Niles West coach Bob Williams, whose club lost for the second time in a row. “We stopped being aggressive.”