Auburn trio leads Knights over North Chicago

ROCKFORD - Auburn's legion of little guys was too much for more heralded and much larger North Chicago as the Knights knocked off the Warhawks, 67-64, at Auburn High School.

The Warhawks finished fourth in the IHSA Class 3A tournament last year and returned three starters all 6-4 or taller.

One of those returners, Raeshaun Samoa, a 6-6 shooting guard, was outstanding. Samoa poured in 25 points to lead all scorers. The next highest scorer, though, was 6-7 forward Ricky Irby with 10 points.

Auburn attacked with more balance. Tyshawn Whitt, a 6-0 senior guard, scored 21 points. Sophomore Joshua Ausler, also a 6-0 guard, added 18 and 5-9 guard Haniefe Johnson added 13.

Auburn got off to a fast start. The Knights led by as many as 10 points in the opening quarter, but the Warhawks rallied to take a 37-31 lead at the half.

Whitt had 10 of his points in the third quarter to bring the Knights to a 49-49 tie after three periods. Ausler then got hot in the fourth, scoring nine of his 18 points to lead Auburn to the win.

Monday's game is the only one North Chicago is playing in the tournament. Auburn plays again Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. against Huntington Beach Marina.

BOXSCORE

Rockford Auburn 67, North Chicago 64

North Chicago ..........16  21  12  15  -  64     
Rockford Auburn .....21  10  18  18  -  67

North Chicago - Rogers 1 0-0 2, Harper 3 0-1 7, Rodriguez 1 2-2 5, Waiters 3 1-2 8, Mays 0 1-5 1, Gilmore 2 0-0 4, Samoa 9 7-8 25, Clinton 1 0-2 2, Irby 5 0-1 10. Totals 25 11-21 64.
Rockford Auburn - Ausler 7 1-3 18, H. Johnson 5 2-3 13, Whitt 7 4-6 21, Davis 4 1-3 9, Williams 0 0-2 0, Walker 1 0-0 2, Chaney 1 2-2 4. Totals 25 10-19 67.
3-pt FG: North Chicago 3 (Harper, Rodriguez, Waiters), Auburn 7 (Ausler 3, Whitt 3, H. Johnson).