LAKE FOREST, Ill.–Friday night was a similar storyline for the Lake Forest boys basketball team. After getting down early once again, the first quarter deficit was simply too much to overcome. Down 28-12 at the half, intensity was lacking in the first half. Their defense was struggling to contain the Blue Devils, and their own points were hard to come by. Seemingly every time the Scouts looked like they were going on a run, Warren came right back with a bucket of their own, thus leading to a 52-42 win for the Blue Devils. As they seem to always do, Lake Forest outscored their opponent in the second half. They cut the Blue Devils lead to 7 with a couple minutes left in the 4th, but Warren’s 1-2-2 zone made it difficult for the Scouts to really get anything going.
Looking for deflections and steals, Branden Ellis & Co. did just that. They forced Lake Forest into numerous turnovers, leading to countless transition buckets on the opposite end. The Scouts committed 13 turnovers, and shot 46% from the field. Their big men, Mead Payne and Drew Arnson, were unable to get a bucket to fall. Warren stuck to their plan and performed it well. Ben Gibson led the Scouts charge late as he finished with a team high 19 points. Also Sean Trkla and Jack VanHyfte combined for 16 points with four three-pointers between the two guards. For Lake Forest to snap their two game losing streak, they’ll need to play a complete game and get back their production from their front court.
The Scouts are back in action Tuesday night at Libertyville. Things won’t get any easier against another solid conference opponent who just knocked off the highly-touted Waukegan Bulldogs and sit at (2-0) in NSC play, especially on the road. Scout Nation should do their best to give the Coach LaScala’s squad an extra boost as they face the talented Wildcats.
