PONTIAC — New Trier didn’t play well in the first half, but it was still hanging in against top-ranked Curie.
DaJuan Gordon ended that in the third quarter. The Kansas State recruit scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the third to help the Condors cruise past the Trevians 61-40 in the quarterfinals of the Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Friday.
New Trier (11-2) is one of the state’s tallest teams with 6-9 Harvard recruit Ciaran Brayboy, 6-6 Sam Silverstein and 6-8 Spencer Boehm. It didn’t rattle the Condors.
“Play fast,” Gordon said. “They had height on us so we beat them with speed. They didn’t pick up to it.”
Junior Justin Harmon added 15 points and Damari Nixon added 10 for Curie (12-0).
New Trier’s Chuck Sweat (25) puts up a 3-pointer, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Spencer Boehm (33) looks to pass, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Sam Silverstein (20) puts in two points against Curie, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Sam Silverstein (20) gets to the basket on Curie’s Trevon Hamilton (5), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s Nick Owens (4) cross the ball over against New Trier, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s Justin Harmon (24) finger rolls right down the middle against New Trier, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Noah Osher (2) pushes the ball down your after a rebound, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s Justin Harmon (24) puts in two over New Trier, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s DaJuan Gordon (3) (3) gets a lay up off the backboard, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Ciaran Brayboy (21) hauls in a rebound, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Noah Osher (2) tries to cut off the lane from Curie’s DaJuan Gordon (3), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s DaJuan Gordon (3) puts in a three-pointer against New Trier, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s Damari Nixon (2) tries to shake off New Trier’s Ciaran Brayboy (21), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier coach Scott Frickle talks to his team, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s DaJuan Gordon (3) passes the ball back out, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Sam Silverstein (20) fouls Curie’s Trevon Hamilton (5) going to the basket, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Spencer Boehm (33) steps out of a trap against Curie, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Chuck Sweat (25) looks to make a pass, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s DaJuan Gordon (3) puts up a shot over New Trier’s Ciaran Brayboy (21), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie coach Michael Oliver talks to the official over a call, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s Trevon Hamilton (5) runs his teams offense against New Trier, Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
Curie’s DaJuan Gordon (3) makes his way to the basket New Trier’s Sam Silverstein (20), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
New Trier’s Noah Osher (2) attempts to block at shoot put up by Curie’s DaJuan Gordon (3), Friday 12-28-18. Worsom Robinson/For Sun-Times
The Trevians had 22 turnovers and weren’t able to get the ball to Brayboy in the post. he finished with nine points and seven rebounds. Sam Silverstein and Chuck Sweat each scored eight.
The Condors will face the St. Charles North vs. Simeon winner in the semifinals on Saturday.
Curie beat the Wolverines 66-54 on Dec. 13. Gordon isn’t worried about a possible rematch.
“We just play our game,” Gordon said. “As long as we stick to what we are doing it should work. We still think we are the underdogs, still play like the underdogs.”
