Boys Basketball: North Stars 'set the bar' for future teams

ROCKFORD – Hugs exchanged and tears fell as the tough reality sank in on just how far St. Charles North had come.

Perhaps those on the outside never truly thought the North Stars would fight to a sectional semifinal berth. North's sub-.500 record suggested it might not be likely, despite the talent it possessed.

While a 32-win and top-seeded Rockford East team prevailed 51-46 in the Class 4A Rockford Sectional semifinals on Tuesday at Rock Valley College, the North Stars have laid a foundation for those coming through the ranks to carry the torch.

"The bar is set high for the younger guys," senior forward Billy Durocher said.

"These our my brothers; I love them," senior Lucas Heflen said following his 23-point performance. "I'd do anything for them. Nobody expected anything from us after they saw our [14-17] record, and just battling with these guys...loved every minute of it. I wouldn't change it for the world."

Rockford East advanced to Friday's sectional final to face the winner of Wednesday's game between South Elgin and Machesney Park Harlem.

The North Stars overcame a sloppy first half performance that saw 12 turnovers and a 12-point deficit heading into the third quarter. North's Connor Linke didn't record his first shot attempt until under a minute remaining in the half.

The deficits and turnovers is familiar territory for the North Star, so the fight to claw back perhaps didn't seem so daunting.

Heflen buried a three-pointer to pull within 29-25 with 3:27 left in the third quarter, and Luke Scheffers flew into the lane for a rebound-score to inch within two points nearly two minutes later.

Rockford East ripped off an 8-0 run in response before Tyler Czerniak hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to put North back within seven to start the fourth quarter down 37-30.

Colin Nelson and Heflen hit threes to pull within four at 4:11. Later, Linke hit a layup with 2:42 left to close within four again, but Heflen's three with 42 seconds remaining ultimately couldn't close the gap.

"We didn't get the ball inside enough," North Stars coach Tom Poulin said. "Could've been because of [Rockford East's] defense or their ball pressure, but we have to be able to go inside and play inside-out. We weren't able to do that tonight; I thought that was the difference."

Scheffers had eight points and four rebounds for the North Stars. Linke had six rebounds. Nelson had six points.

Rockford East (32-2) was led by Sincere Parker's 16 points. Sha'Den Clanton had 11 points and seven rebounds.

The North Stars' win over Huntley which put them into Tuesday's game was the program's first regional title since 2009.

Putting it into perspective, it just lights the fire for Scheffers, Linke and more to keep moving forward.

"In the beginning [of the season], maybe we didn't believe in ourselves as much as we should've," Scheffers said. "Towards the end of the season, we were believing more than anyone else."

Scheffers already has plans set for tomorrow morning to take the next step.

"I'm just hungry," he continued. "I already plan on being in the gym at six in the morning tomorrow and get some shots up. I just got to work on everything. I'm hungry for this and I can't wait to get back at this."