WAUKEGAN, IL. – With all the respect, it didn’t take long before the Scouts blew Saturday’s matchup against the Bulldogs out of proportion. When you can limit your opponent to a single basket alone in the first quarter of play, it sets a team up for a smooth ride to the finish. Match that staunch defensive effort with an explosive showing on the offensive end, and the game will be over before you know it. Saturday night, the Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team did just that and then some en route to a commanding 65-39 win over the Waukegan Bulldogs.

Right from the get-go, head coach Kyle Wilhelm’s bunch connected on just about all cylinders, playing up to their true potential. Led offensively by the talented trio of junior Halle Douglass, senior Grace Tirzmalis, and sophomore Finola Summerville, baskets seemingly came by at will. Scoring was the least of the Scouts’ problems as they capped off the first eight minutes of action with a 17-2 lead. With a bit more breathing room in the second, Lake Forest didn’t hold back from firing from behind the arc and taking just about any open look they could get, effortlessly piling 27 points on to an already respectable lead. Similar to the first, the Scouts outscored the Bulldogs in the second quarter, entering the break on top of the home team, 44-17.

Following intermission, the Scouts saw many reserves get considerable playing time off the bench. Head coach Kyle Wilhelm let the second platoon ride the game out until the final stretch, giving them quality in-game experience and exposure to the varsity level of play.

At the end of the night, Douglass, Tirzmalis, and Summerville combined for 52 of the Scouts’ 65 points, outperforming the entire Waukegan team. Tirzmalis led the team once again with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Both Douglass and Summerville scored in double-figures as well, as they added 19 and 12 points respectively.

With Saturday’s win, the Scouts improve to (9-4, 3-2) on the season, while the Bulldogs’ struggles continue as they fall to (1-7, 0-6). After a week full of finals, Wilhelm’s unit looks to carry their recent success in NSC play to Zion as they take on an impressive Zee-Bees team, currently sitting at (10-1, 5-1), Thursday night at 7 pm sharp.