CP's Thomas hits career high 34 points to lead Bulldogs in DAC opening 79-68 win over Portage
A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

Friday, Dec. 20, 2002 (DAC opener) in Crown Point

PORTAGE (68)  Dan Paulsen 12-0-24, Steve Vaught 2-0-4, Anthony Leal 2-0-4, Kyle Autrey 2-1-5, Buster Battreall 6-7-22, Matt Martinez 2-1-5, Billy Manoski 1-0-2, Milton Rivera 0-2-2,  Justin Ortiz 0-0-0, Josh Stanley 0-0-0.  TOTALS: 27-11-68.

FGS: 27-55, 49.0 percent   (Dan Paulsen 12-18,  Buster Battreall 6-13,  Anthony Leal 2-8)
FTS: 11-19, 57.8 percent  (Buster Battreall 7-8,  Milton Rivera 2-2)
REBOUNDS: Danny Paulsen 8
ASSISTS: Buster Battreall 4
STEALS: Milton Rivera 3
FOULED OUT: NONE
3-POINT GOALS (3)  Buster Battreall 3.

CROWN POINT (79)  Brian Sparks 10-4-26, Aaron Miller 2-0-6, Chad Pruzin 3-4-11, Chris Thomas 13-6-34,  Kyle Ernest 0-0-0, Jimmy Little 0-0-0, Joel Heavner 1-0-2, Chachi Albrecht 0-0-0, Jordan Ham 0-0-0, Mike Harris 0-0-0.   TOTALS: 29-14-79.

FGS: 29-53,  56.5 percent  (Chris Thomas 13-21, Brian Sparks 10-18)
FTS: 14-18, 77.7 percent  (Chad Pruzin 4-4, Brian Sparks 4-6, Chris Thomas 6-7)
REBOUNDS: Joel Heavner 8
ASSISTS: Chad Pruzin 5
STEALS: Chad Pruzin 3
FOULED OUT: Aaron Miller - 4th Q.
3-POINT GOALS (7) Chris Thomas 2, Aaron Miller 2, Brian Sparks 2, Chad Pruzin.

DOG NOTES:   Chris Thomas' 34 points was a career-high and his second 30-point game of the season.  Thomas scored 32 in the 86-85 loss to Lake Central on Nov. 30. Brian Sparks' 26  points gave him 69 (23 ppg.) in his last three games. In the Bulldogs' last four games, they have made 41 of  53 (77.3) from the foul line.

CP's defense was not up to par in this game.  Portage shot almost 50% from the field and Dan Paulsen's 24 points was the season high total against CP, Buster Battreall's 22 was the second highest total.  It is disturbing that CP has allowed 268 points (67 points per game) at home.  CP senior Kyle Robbins did not play for reasons that were not reported.

CP still hosts Valparaiso, LaPorte and Gary Roosevelt, all of whom have more offensive firepower than Portage.

2003 CROWN POINT (5-2, 1-0 DAC)

Coach Tom Johnson (6 years -  85-47)
DAC Games in CAPS - Start times are JV starting times

11-27-2002 - 74-46  at Gavit (0-5)
11-30-2002 - 86-85 Lake Central (4-2)
12-6-2002 - 76-41 at Clark (3-3)
12-7-2002 - 56-54 (West Lafayette) Harrison  (3-4)
12-13-2002 - 59-40  at Griffith (2-1)
12-14-2002 - 55-60 East Chicago (4-3)
12-20-2002 - 79-68 PORTAGE (1-5)

Highland Holiday Tournament
12-27-2002:  vs. Munster (7-0)
12-28-2002:  vs. Kankakee Valley (2-4) or Highland (2-3)

1-3-2003 (F) Calumet (6 p.m.)
1-11-2003 (S) at MERRILLVILLE (6 p.m.)
1-17-2003 (F) VALPARAISO (6 p.m.)
1-18-2003 (S) at South Bend Adams (6 p.m.)
1-25-2003 (S) at MICHIGAN CITY (6 p.m.)
1-31-2003 (F) at CHESTERTON  (6 p.m.)
2-1-2003 (S) at Munster (6 p.m.)
2-7-2003 (F) LaPORTE (6 p.m.)
2-13-2003 (Th) at Hobart (6 p.m.)
2-21-2003 (F) GARY ROOSEVELT (6 p.m.)
2-28-2003 (F) LOWELL  (6 p.m.)

Valparaiso (4A) Sectional
3-4-2003 (Tu) quarterfinals (6 p.m.)
3-7-2003 (F) semifinals (6 p.m.)
3-8-2003 (S) championship (6 p.m.)