Harlem gets look at top talent over Christmas

HUSKIE FAN FAVORITES PHOTO The Journal
Matt Saunders looks for driving room against Waubonsie Valley, Jan. 3, at Harlem. The Huskies fell to the Warriors, 67-39.
The Harlem boys basketball team finished its Christmas break 1-3 after falling to Waubonsie Valley at home this past Friday.
The Huskies got chances to measure themselves against two of the top teams in the state, losing to 14-1 Rock Island in a Christmas tournament and the now 14-0 Warriors from Aurora.
Waubonsie Valley jumped out to a 22-11 after the first quarter. Harlem played the Warriors somewhat even in the second quarter, but Waubonsie put the game away in the third quarter, outscoring Harlem 20-11. The final was 67-39 for the Warriors.
Matt Saunders hit three three-pointers in the first half for nine points. Mateo Perera had eight of his team-high 11 in the third quarter. Julius Roundtree added eight points.
The Huskies are now 5-8 overall and 3-3 in the NIC-10. Conference play starts up against Wednesday when the Huskies take on East, which is 3-2 in the NIC-10 and 7-7 overall. It will be an important measuring stick for Harlem. East is coming off a 7-25 season, but the E-Rabs had won 20 games or more five straight full seasons before that and were 12-1 in the shortened COVID season.