BOYS BASKETBALL: North Star Trio Helps Overpower No. 7 East

Lincoln North Star’s boys basketball team may have turned an important corner in their season Tuesday night, after what’s been a roller coaster season.

The Navigators played like a one or two-loss team, instead of one that’s now 9-7, after they upset No. 7 Lincoln East 78-73 before an estimated crowd of 1,200 at the East Gym, which was heard on ESPN Lincoln 101.5FM/1480AM.

Nebraska recruit Donovan Williams scored a game-high 26 points to lead North Star and got help from junior Jared Lopez (23 points) and 6-7 senior center Josiah Allick (22 points).  They managed to help the Gators to a 7-0 start in the first minute of the game, then Williams buried a three-pointer from the top of the key off a cross over dribble for a 14-3 advantage.  North Star’s lead then increased to 22-11 heading to the second quarter.

A 15-4 run to finish the first half gave North Star a 37-15 halftime lead.

But East (12-4) busted out for a 58-point rally in the second half, 37 of which came in the fourth quarter.  Full court pressure helped the Spartans climb back to within five, 62-57, with 3:40 to play off a basket from Wes Dreamer.

North Star answered with another 7-0 run courtesy of Williams, who hit four free throws and a three-point play to put the Gators up for good at 69-57 with 2:39 remaining.

Connor Riekenberg scored 17 of his team-high 20 points in the second half for East, while Dreamer finished with 19, Chang Deng added 14 and Carter Glenn finished with 11 for the Spartans.

Follow Jeff Motz on Twitter: @JeffMotzKFOR

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