The Stevenson boys basketball team’s national footprint has caused one casualty this season — the Patriots are scheduled to play on their home court just seven times.
The first of those seven games was Wednesday night. Hosting North Suburban Lake rival Libertyville in front of a charged, almost-capacity crowd, the Patriots cruised to a 78-55 victory.
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“It’s always great to play in this gym. The fans are great, the atmosphere is great,” Stevenson senior guard Connor Cashaw said. “The seniors have to cherish this as it’s [one] of our last times.”
A performing arts concert at Stevenson made parking spots scarce around campus. A late arrival meant missing the best part of the Patriots’ basketball show — the first quarter. Senior Matt Johnson (game-high 18 points, four steals) started the game with a rare four-point play.
At the midway point of the first quarter, senior guard Jalen Brunson electrified fans with a left-handed slam. Then, with one minute remaining, Brunson missed a jump shot. Out of nowhere, sophomore Justin Smith (16 points) leaped in the air and dunked home the offensive rebound. The score was 28-11 after one quarter, swelling to 47-18 at one point in the second quarter. Stevenson (6-0, 2-0) simply overwhelmed Libertyville with its athleticism and home-court showmanship.
“I thought early we panicked. They are too good to panic,” said Wildcats coach Scott Bogumil, whose team fell to 3-3 and 0-2 in conference play. “We got shaken up.”
Libertyville’s roster features two big men who gave the Patriots trouble at times. When the Wildcats cut the deficit to 47-32 with 5:15 remaining in the third quarter, it was in large part due to the post play of 6-10 senior center Joe Borcia (17 points) and 6-6 junior forward Ben Kimpler. But a quick 7-0 run by Stevenson diffused the Wildcats’ momentum and put the game out of reach.
The return of 6-3 senior forward Jeremy Webb gives the Patriots another inside player. A starting safety on Stevenson’s Class 8A football state title team, Webb’s ability to body up in the paint helped prevent Borcia and Kimpler from having more of an impact on the game’s outcome.
“I give defense, rebounding, energy. Just trying to come off the bench and give my team as much help as they need,” Webb said.
Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose added: “Against bigger players, he gives us more inside presence. He’s coming along.”
An off shooting night by Brunson (3-of-10, 12 points, 11 assists) didn’t matter to the Patriots. Note to area basketball fans: If the six games remaining on Stevenson’s home schedule are anything like Wednesday night’s arrive early.
And don’t forget the popcorn.
“It was great to see the fans very loud,” Ambrose said. “We gave them some entertainment in the first half.”