The Lake Zurich boys basketball team knows that if it plans on contending in the ultra-competitive North Suburban Lake, it will need to take care of the minor details each night.
The stat sheet from the Bears’ 40-35 NSC Lake victory over Lake Forest on Friday, Dec. 4, was a perfect example of how one play here or there can make all the difference.
Though both teams shot exactly 40 percent from the field, the Bears (4-2, 1-0) held the Scouts (2-3, 0-1) to just 1-for-13 shooting from three-point range, as their stingy interior defense continually forced Lake Forest to settle for perimeter shots. The vast majority of those were contested.
“We had one guy kind of extending on the wall, and that was our game plan,” said Bears coach Billy Pitcher. “And then other guys were really helping in the lane. So we were in good position [defensively] all night.”
The Bears were careful to limit the number of fouls they committed. Lake Forest shot just two free throws, both in the first quarter. Lake Zurich, meanwhile, was 8-for-11 from the foul line.
Though the Scouts’ 6-foot-7 star senior Lorenzo Edwards shot 10-for-15 from the field and had a game-high 20 points, six rebounds and four blocks, Pitcher was satisfied with his team’s effort against Edwards.
“Our players do a great job of being disciplined and knowing who their guy is,” Pitcher said. “We really try to contain. I don’t know if Edwards took a shot where there wasn’t somebody between him and the basket. He still made a lot of them, but we had the position there defensively. We didn’t foul a lot because we didn’t get overextended.”
Lake Zurich also outrebounded Lake Forest 22-17, including 7-6 on the offensive glass. Though he didn’t score, Bears starting forward Nick Meyer pulled down 10 boards and routinely elevated above taller players.
“I just tried my best to box out and put myself in a good position to go up and get the ball,” Meyer said.
“Nick is hard on himself, but he had a great game,” Pitcher added. “Those rebounds and extra possessions add up and make a huge difference for us,”
Bears senior guard Nick Penny, who had a team-high 14 points and five rebounds, symbolized Lake Zurich’s gritty effort. He broke his nose during practice earlier in the week (on Tuesday, Dec. 1), and wore a clear protective facemask against Lake Forest.
“I caught an elbow in practice,” Penny said. “I didn’t even think it was broken at first. It started bleeding later that night, and it was hurting [several hours after practice at the YMCA]. I was at the YMCA shooting. No contact at the Y, it just started bleeding.”
More Top Picks Irlen Syndrome Symptoms In Adults You Might Be Missing
Juniors Michael Bens and Brett Hensley (10 points each) also scored in double-figures for Lake Zurich.
Tim Froehlig is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @TFroehlig