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Jeremy Quinlan’s double-double powers Brookfield over Niles
NILES
Because of an extended football season which lasted through mid-November, the Brookfield High basketball team didn’t enjoy the benefits of a full preseason practice schedule.
“Four of our starters played football, so we’re just now getting in sync,” said Brookfield basketball coach Bill Kovach. “We were a bit concerned coming into the season. We knew there would be an adjustment period, and we’re still working things out.”
If the best is indeed yet to come, Brookfield should enjoy a banner year. Despite the late start, the Warriors are already off and running. On Friday, they lifted their record to 3-0 with a 59-58 road win over Niles.
The Red Dragons fall to 3-2.
Jeremy Quinlan led the Warriors with a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. Collin Harkulich added 10 points for the winners, including six points in what was a frantic fourth quarter.
Ray Russ led Niles with 20 points. Chris Parry and James Tate added 12 apiece.
With Brookfield leading 59-52 in the final minute of play, Tate scored six consecutive points to pull the Red Dragons to within one. The senior converted on a pair of layups, the second coming off an offensive rebound with 43 seconds left on the clock. Quinlan’s reaction to the second basket drew a technical foul, which was turned into a pair of made free throws by Tate.
Niles then gained possession with 14 seconds remaining, and had four shots at the basket before the buzzer sounded.
“That’s what high school basketball is all about, two teams going at it and never quitting,” said Niles coach Ron Price. “I’m proud of our kids. They dug in and fought back against a very good team.
“That was a great final two minutes. Unfortunately, we didn’t make the shot we needed. But sometimes you can help yourself out by hitting free throws during the game, and tonight we didn’t do that.”
Niles was 8 of 19 from the charity stripe.
Thanks to a 10-point quarter from Quinlan, Brookfield grabbed a 15-10 lead after the first period. The Warriors took a 29-26 advantage into the locker room, then led by five (46-41) entering the final frame.
Niles made several early second-half runs at Brookfield, but each time the Dragons threatened to take the lead, Quinlan answered with a clutch basket.
“Jeremy is extremely versatile,” Kovach said. “He’s got an inside and outside game, and that makes him tough to guard. We leaned on him to get the early lead, then he made some big plays down the stretch.”
Kovach said he wasn’t surprised to see the Dragons make a late surge.
“Niles is well-coached,” Kovach said. “They’re quick, and they’re tough to guard.
“This was a good early-season game for us. Playing a team like Niles will only help prepare us for what’s down the road.”
Brookfield returns to action Tuesday when it visits Hubbard. Niles also plays Tuesday when it hosts Girard.