LAKE FOREST, Ill.– Showcasing a new starting lineup–which featured big men Mead Payne and senior post Kyle Waggoner–the Lake Forest Scouts (6-11, 1-5) were able to secure their first North Suburban Conference win of the season in their Saturday matinee tilt with Mundelein (12-9, 2-4).
The Mustangs, who knocked off conference powers Stevenson and Zion-Benton on the road in December, have struggled in their most recent conference games, losing to Waukegan, Warren, Libertyville, and now Lake Forest. After a fairly even first half of play, the Scouts used a third quarter run to propel them to a lead they would never relinquish.
Mundelein, who boasts freshman phenom point guard Kyle Enright (13 points), was slowed int he second half in large part due to the Scouts’ efficiency on offense. Three-point field goals by Jack Van Hyfte and Ben Gibson early in the half provided Lake Forest with the confidence on the offensive end that they would need to power through to victory. Not to mention, a strong defensive effort by Kyle Waggoner and Mead Payne on Mustangs 6’7″ 245 lb. big man Andrew Silva was also instrumental in the 56-38 win.
Mead Payne led the Scouts with 13 points and 6 rebounds while Ben Gibson, the Scouts’ leading scorer on the season, chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds.
Lake Forest returns to action this Wednesday when they travel to the historic Dawg Pound at Waukegan High School to take on the Bulldogs. Waukegan most recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Stevenson and will be looking for a win to get them back on track.