BOYS BASKETBALL: McAuliffe's Return Heightens Spartans' Aspirations

’s postseason hopes got a big boost when six-foot-eight Andrew McAuliffe returned from a fractured right patella a week ago at Highland Park.

The junior forward is still returning to form after missing eight weeks, but his inside presence alone has the Spartans in position for a deep run in the playoffs. The team has already clinched at least a share of the Central Suburban League North title for the 11th straight year, and was recently given the No. 2 seed in the Glenbrook South Sectional with the postseason beginning in late February.

The team is hoping to draw on McAuliffe for success in postseason play, but he’s been inconsistent on court so far. He scored double figures just once in his first four games back, a double-double (15 points and 11 rebounds) against Hersey on Feb. 7.

“I’m trying to keep a positive attitude,” McAuliffe said. “It’s a little frustrating being out for two months. It’s just a process of getting back.”

McAuliffe said he still feels soreness on occasion.  However, simply having him back in uniform has been a boost to the team’s confidence.

“We have a little more bounce to our step,” said GBN coach Dave Weber. “We were moving a little bit better and we can rely on [McAuliffe]. We know he’s in there to block some shots, to grab a couple rebounds. Our offense is out of sync because we just haven’t played with him very much.”

Previously, however, the whole team was out of sync without McAuliffe. After a 6-0 start, the Spartans went 8-5 without their star.  They lost the first game after McAuliffe’s injury, at Deerfield, and twice lost two games in a row during a rough patch in the schedule. With time, North overcame not just McAuliffe’s injury, but injuries to starters Kurt Karis and Mitchell Lev, who both missed a few games.

While he was out, McAuliffe played cheerleader from the bench and could be seen giving advice to his teammates during timeouts. He was anxious to return, but the team adapted. Now he needs to reintegrate himself.

“They’ve been playing without me; they’ve been playing great,” McAuliffe said. “I’m just trying to get back in there and get a feel for the game. It’s been a while since I touched a ball.”

For now, his return has opened things up for Karis, who led the Spartans in scoring the first three games since McAuliffe rejoined the team. Karis has noticed the difference, especially on defense.

“You know you can gamble,” Karis said. “You got a 6-8 kid that can put the shot away for you. It’s nice to have. He’s a good offensive presence to have on the inside as well.”

With the playoffs less than three weeks away, McAuliffe has some time to get back to playing his basketball. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, GBN will begin the Niles North Regional, where the host Vikings are expected to be the toughest threat.

The two teams split the regular season meetings. McAuliffe scored a  in the first meeting, the game he got injured, and missed the second game in a home Spartan loss. Going into this matchup, the Spartans are just hoping the third time’s a charm.