The boys basketball season kicks off today as they begin their run at the school’s first IHSA Sectional title. Lake Forest travels to Loyola Academy and New Trier High School throughout this Thanksgiving week in pool play today, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Lake Forest shares a bracket with Butler College Prep, St. Ignatius Prep, and Lincoln Park High School, all teams from Chicago. The Scouts will have a tough slate of games prior to Thanksgiving; these three teams are expected to be quite athletic and very talented. They must play well to advance out of their pool and into the championship on Saturday.
Lake Forest battles against Butler College Prep today at New Trier. The game marks the first for Coach LaScala’s team, so it’s tough to know what to expect. Road blocks are surely ahead and the Scouts will most certainly struggle. But, with that comes the future successes that many expect this experienced, skilled team to accomplish. The opening tip-off is at 6:30pm at the Winnetka Campus of New Trier High School. Butler will likely be the toughest team for Lake Forest before the holiday on Thursday, so this game could prove to be pivotal in terms of sending one team to Saturday’s championship. Butler Prep only had 6 losses a season ago, so look for them to push Lake Forest tonight on both ends of the floor.
A change of scenery is in store for Tuesday as Lincoln Park High School comes to Loyola Academy and presents yet another challenge for the Scouts. LPHS, who finished 3rd in the Thanksgiving tournament a year ago, travels to the North Shore looking to do even better this time around. The quick turnaround could be problematic if the Scouts don’t come to play to start the week.
Lake Forest gets another crack at St. Ignatius on Wednesday. Just a year after suffering a four point loss to the Wolfpack, a revenge opportunity is in store for Coach LaScala’s bunch. The tournament moves back to New Trier’s Winnetka Campus at 6:00pm, the night before Thanksgiving. Wednesday evening poses the final pool play contest for Lake Forest before a break on Thursday and Friday. The Scouts probably need to go (3-0) before the holiday if they want to be playing in the marquee evening slot after the feast.
Three wins are certainly possible for Lake Forest. They have the talent and experience; it’s just a matter of if the Scouts come out of the gates firing. Be sure to make the trip south to Loyola and New Trier during the holiday week to support the 2017-2018 Lake Forest basketball team.
