LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Their playoffs were already set, a game versus Highland Park on Monday loomed and that one would actually mean something. They already played Stevenson: a 47-29 loss in Lincolnshire just a month ago. It would’ve been easy for Coach Phil LaScala’s team to just fold over and get ready for Monday’s do-or-die matchup. In the grand scheme of things, this game meant nothing. Although to Lake Forest’s seniors, this long elusive win meant everything.

“Yeah, that never really crossed our mind,” said senior forward Jack Bender in regards to whether or not taking this game lightly was considered. “It’s been like six years since we beat them; it’s huge for our confidence. Ending a drought like that and going into playoffs with that type of win, it’s special.”

Whatever LaScala said to pump the Scouts up pre-game worked. Lake Forest jumped out to a 15-10 lead after one quarter of play and riled up the “Comp Crazies.” A patient offense combined with physical defense worked well in quarter one as the Scouts forced Coach Pat Ambrose’s Patriots to work for every bucket.

In the second, neither team was able to get anything going offensively as the two opponents combined for 13 points. The Scouts took a 20-18 lead into the halftime break and a potential upset bid excited the packed gym.

The third quarter followed suit. Another 13 total point outing cut Lake Forest’s lead to one as the final period awaited. The Scouts led 26-25 with eight minutes remaining to decide the winner of this fierce rivalry.

Seniors Jake Fisher and Crawford Bolton kickstarted the fourth quarter with back-to-back “and-1” opportunities. The Comp Crazies were as loud as they were going to be all night and the Scouts had all the momentum they needed. Free-throws by Fisher would follow for much of the game as he ended up going 13-16 from the charity stripe. His 24 point outing sealed the deal for Lake Forest’s first victory over the Patriots in six years- since a guy by the name of Jalen Brunson wore the green and gold. The final score read 49-40 in favor of the home Scouts and no words could describe the Scouts’ feelings after finally knocking off the Patriots.

Lake Forest is back in action on Monday to tip-off the IHSA playoffs against Highland Park. The contest starts at 7:00 P.M. in the Competition Gym, and if Lake Forest were to win the upcoming game, a rematch with the Patriots is on the schedule.