The Huntley High School boys basketball team opened its season with a bang in Crystal Lake Central’s Coaches vs. Cancer Thanksgiving Tournament.  A 55-39 win over Antioch on Monday, a 65-46 win over Belvidere North on Friday, and a 60-48 win over Hoffman Estates on Saturday put the Red Raiders on the road to a perfect record in the tournament.

Senior Bryce Only and juniors Zach Gorney and Dan Janus combined for 38 points to push the team past Antioch while seniors Tommy Regan and Jake Wagner combined for 35 points to overcome Belvidere North.  Huntley overcame a deficit in the second half against Hoffman Estates and then held off the Hawks to secure their 12-point lead.

Despite coming out on top in all three games, Huntley does have some problems to worry about.  In all three games, the Red Raiders struggled to put up points and set a tempo in the first half.  They managed to pull through at the end of the games, but elite teams will take advantage of a first half weakness and try to rack up an insurmountable lead.

“We were slow on defense at the beginning, but we picked it up at the half,” said Janus.  “Hopefully, we will start to play like that from the start of the game.”

The main thing Huntley needs to do to be an elite team is establish a post presence.  Every player plays like a guard and the team relies on its shooting to put up points.  Fortunately for the Red Raiders, they have the rebounds and put backs they need sitting on their bench.

Junior Amanze Egekeze is a 6-foot, 7-inch forward who led the team in blocks last year and has become one of the most scouted players in the area.  He will be back within the next couple months and should fill the gap in Huntley’s play style.

Until then, the Red Raiders will need to use what they have to fight for wins and fill Egekeze’s spot as best as they can.  Gorney and Janus showed that they can offer a post presence in this tournament and will likely fill Egekeze’s shoes until he returns.

But behind all the negatives lie Huntley’s bright spots.  Wagner and Regan are major three-point threats while Only and junior Blake Jacobs offer a more dynamic play style.  If the Red Raiders can put all this together, they can become the elite team they have the potential to be.

“Our performance was decent,” said coach Marty Manning.  “We’re making steps every game and coming out stronger in the second half.”

Huntley’s next game will be next Friday against Carmel at Huntley High School.