One of those oft-used phrases when basketball teams enter the postseason is how nothing that happened before matters - all teams are 0-0 again.

And that statement is usually used by teams that have stuttered or sputtered through the regular season.

Mooseheart's boys basketball team reveled in its clean slate on Thursday, taking the court for the first time this postseason and claiming a 63-40 victory over North Shore Country Day

Mooseheart (17-6) actually opened with a Tuesday win, but that came through a forfeit by Chicago Waldorf. Thursday's victory came on the court, which made it more real in every sense.

"Overall, it's not too bad," Mooseheart coach Jeff Perales said. "We've still got things to work on for (Friday.) Obviously the competition's going to much, much better."

Mooseheart plays host Westminster Christian for the IHSA Class 1A Regional title on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Ramblers have not played for a regional title since the 1963-64 season, when there was only one class in Illinois basketball.

"Every year, since freshman year, Floyd (Mays) and I, we've talked about going to state," Mooseheart senior Mike Tovar said. "We played this game like it was our last. We played with a lot of intensity."

Mooseheart and Westminster Christian played on Feb. 8, and the host Crusaders won 49-45.

"We weren't worried about Westminster," Tovar said. "We were worried about North Shore. We had to get past North Shore before we could get to Westminster."

Mooseheart led from start to finish and held a 31-21 lead at halftime. The backbreaking quarter was the third. The Ramblers found Tovar again and again inside. The senior forward scored 10 of his team-high 17 points as the Ramblers built a 48-31 edge.

"I knew eventually our quickness would take over and our strength would too," Perales said.

Tovar was limited in the first half due to foul trouble. He picked up his second foul midway through the second quarter and went to the bench.

The Ramblers got contributions from a number of players Ethan Grasty scored 6 of his 10 points in the second quarter. Dennis Davis had 8 of his 12 points in the first half. Chris Morones scored 6 points, but all came in the first half.

Mays was consistent, scoring 6 points in each half while running the Ramblers offense efficiently.

"We played really well as a team," Mays said. "We had a brotherhood. I felt like I didn't contribute the way I should have, but I'm glad my team did."

Jay Findlay led North Shore Country Day with a game-high 19 points.

GAME STATS

3-point goals:
North Shore Country Day:
Gendell 1, Herth 2, Findlay 2
Mooseheart:
Kendor 2

Total fouls:
North Shore Country Day 9
Mooseheart 12
Fouled out: Applebaum