LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Just a few weeks ago, the boys basketball team traveled to the town out west and defeated their arch-rivals, the Libertyville Wildcats. On Tuesday they looked to defeat them yet again and complete the season sweep. 

Coming into the game on a 10-2 run, the Wildcats had been playing their best basketball of the season and with a questionable Scouts point guard in Sam Gibson, the game was going to be closer than before. With fans from both sides piling into the Comp Gym 30 minutes before the game, spectators instantly knew they were in for a treat.

As the ScoutNation erupted after Asa Thomas won the tip-off, the start of the game shot off like a cannon. Each team shared baskets for a few possessions, until the Scouts pulled away with a couple layups from Tommie Aberle and Sam Gibson and a three-pointer from Alex Forowycz. The first quarter ended with the Scouts up 18-12. 

The second quarter began, and Asa Thomas got back to his scoring ways with six of the Scouts 12 points in the quarter. Anthony Mordini, Aberle and Forowycz also added 2 points each. With student sections booming chants back and forth at each other, the Scouts led 30-21 going into the half. 

The second half was a different story. The Scouts seemed to slow down on offense, yet still stayed stout defensively. Gibson propelled their offense, scoring four of their six third quarter points, but a glimmer of hope shined for the Libertyville Wildcats, only down by three possessions going into the fourth. 

The intensity grew as a few early turnovers from the Scouts seemed like they were going to be costly. Even with the turnovers, the Scout student section never slowed down, propelling a big quarter from Thomas. In arguably the biggest play of the game, after a second three-pointer from Libertyville that quarter, Thomas responded with a corner three right in front of the Scouts student section. To nobody’s surprise, the ScoutNation went ballistic. 

The last three minutes were as slow and stressful as they could be. After a couple more turnovers, the defense stayed relentless, and the free throw shooting was impeccable. Previously questionable Sam Gibson hit two clutch free throws to seal the game for the home team. 

“I just focused on my breathing and tried to keep a clear head,” Gibson said. 

With eight seconds left on the clock, the Scouts inbounded the ball and ran out the clock, bringing them to a 51-46 victory and a conference championship. Thomas and Aberle both ended with 14 points, while Gibson added 10 in his return. 

The Scouts are back in action at 7:00pm on February 4th at home against Lake Zurich.