When the fourth quarter of the Stevenson boys basketball team’s 65-48 win over Lake Forest began Friday night, the Patriots needed a spark.
It came from an unlikely source — junior guard Ryuji Aoki.
After a rapidly played first half saw Stevenson (22-2, 12-0 North Suburban Lake) lead 34-23, a more physical third quarter flipped the game’s momentum slightly in the favor of Lake Forest (23-2, 10-2). A 44-35 Patriots lead heading into the final quarter was by no means decisive.
“It was toe-to-toe, us taking a blow, them making a shot,” Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose said. “It was kind of disjointed. It didn’t flow real well.”
On Stevenson’s first possession of the fourth quarter, Aoki took a pass from senior guard Jalen Brunson (26 points, four assists) behind the three-point line. With no hesitation, he drained the shot, giving the Patriots a 47-35 lead.
After a defensive stop, the ball again found its way to Aoki. He again launched a doubtless three-point shot, nailing it for a 15-point lead with 6:30 left in the game. The shots — Aoki’s only two baskets of the game — killed any chance of a Scouts comeback.
“He’s adding another weapon we have. He’s a really good guy to come off the bench and [shoot] for us,” Brunson said.
Over the last three games, the 5-10 Aoki has averaged 15.6 points. With senior guard Matt Johnson limited Friday night due to a right ankle injury (senior Ryan Rosenbaum started over Johnson against the Scouts), Aoki entered the game in the first quarter and played for longer stretches than he did Tuesday against Warren, when he scored 11 points.
The Patriots’ roster depth continues to be a story as the regular season draws to a close. Rosenbaum, who against Warren started in place of the injured Johnson, finished with eight points. And while the efficient, at times spectacular, play of Brunson and senior guard Connor Cashaw (14 points, 10 rebounds) were the main reasons Stevenson won its 21st straight conference game Friday night, role players like Aoki and Rosenbaum continue to shine.
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“We have a lot of depth on our bench. When guys like Matt [Johnson] gets hurt, people can step up and we can still play a good team and get out with a win,” Aoki said.
Jon Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.