Knights top Hawks in tourney opener

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Zach Vaccarello (15) tries to put up a shot as Northstar’s Nathaniel Wade tries for a block during the host Hawks tournament loss to the Knights this evening.

Taking charge with a key scoring burst to close the first half, Northstar went on to defeat the host Hawks 42-28 this evening in the opening round of the Holley Tournament.

Leading by a narrow 12-11 margin, Northstar closed the first half with a decisive 12-0 run. A three by Patrick Medeiros and a three-point play by Miles Brown highlighted that run as the Knights opened up a 24-11 half-time advantage.

Keeping the momentum, Northstar stretched its advantage to 17, 34-17, at the three-quarter mark as one three by Rodney Shepard opened the period and another by Tim Kearney closed it.

Brown took game high honors with 12 to lead a parade of nine Knight point-getters.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Nick Passarell (25) tries to drive between Northstar’s duo of Tim Kearney (3) and Nathaniel Wade (24).

Zach Vaccarelli and Joey DeFelice both scored 7 for Holley as Nick Passarell netted 6, Ian Penders 4 and Chris Balys and Jon Rusin 2 each.

Trailing 8-5 after the opening quarter, Holley rallied back to within one at 12-11 midway through the second period after back-to-back baskets by DeFelice and Passarell but the turnover plagued Hawks could get no closer.

Holley, which is now 1-5, will now face Webster Christian in the consolation game at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Northstar will then take on Oakfield-Alabama in the championship game at 7 p.m. Oakfield-Alabama romped past Webster Christian 76-37 in the other semifinal.