Battle of Belvidere moves North

By Bob Kopp
BDR Sports Correspondent
Gump was right.
It happens.
BELVIDERE – North crossed town with a 0-10 conference record to play the Bucs who were riding a three game NIC-10 winning streak and left with a convincing 61-54 victory.
Despite falling behind 7-0 in the opening minutes, the Thunder never trailed after being tied at the end of the first quarter 14-14; increasing its margin at the end of each quarter: 33-30, 48-42, and leading by double digits throughout the fourth before senior Rylen Kirk’s lay-up to seal the deal.
Pushing boorish off-court distractions aside and improving weekly under first year head coach David Loner, it is hard to consider North’s dominating win as an upset because they were patient on offense, relied on their renowned sharp-shooting to drop nine three’s, handled the rock with precision and minimal turnovers, broke the desperate press of the Bucs in the closing minutes, and played like the favorites while the Bucs proved again that they can almost beat anybody and definitely lose to anybody.
Kirk led all scorers with 19 points.
Seniors Eric Munoz and Deante Barnes led the Bucs with 14 and 13 points respectively.