DECEMBER 15, 1967
Niles North Defeats Netmen
The agony of defeat was felt as the Warriors retired from the court with the final score Niles 46, West 43.
The Maine West squad showed zeal and determination as the game progressed. Bruce Kaechele was in fine form as he intercepted a Niles pass in midair early in the second quarter.
Ted Waskowski's ball handling was brilliantly highlighted as he broke through the Niles defense and went in for the score.
At the half the Warriors trailed 24-21. Kurt Felde, one of the first string players, was helped off the court after a skirmish in which he fell and injured his already bandaged knee.
It was obvious to all that Coach Freeman gave his boys a pep talk during the half time lag; for when they returned, they dominated the ball game. It was not until 4:49 of the third period that Niles acquired a score.
The fourth and final quarter saw both teams battling for the lead. Late in the quarter disaster struck; several penalties against Maine sent Niles into the lead.
Although several valiant attempts were made to even the score, time ran out; and Niles North was victorious.
Maine West, it seemed, tried to play the brand of basketball that Maine South is noted for the fast-moving defensive game.
The Hawks compensated by passing a great deal and making shots from almost everywhere on the court.
The Warriors attempted to use the fast break as a threat to the South squad; however, the Hawks seemed to recover fast enough to put the lid on the threat.
Maine West had only two players score over 10 points. These two were Kaechele who scored 14 points and Tistle with 15.
The greatest problem faced by the Warriors was getting around Dave Butz who is 6' 7" tall and weighs 250 pounds.
Although the Warriors trailed throughout the game, they never gave up the desire to win.
This is how the game progressed: South had four boys getting into the double figures and Maine West had only two. South continuously made shot after shot. West, however, had some trouble sinking the ball.
The West rebounding was excellent; however, the height factor hurt the Warriors as it had in the Waukegan encounter.