Cats outlast Devils, Paul
It was a sight you rarely see at Warren.
In the final minute of Wednesday's boys basketball game against Libertyville, spectators on the Warren side were filing out early. At the same time, the Wildcats' fans were giving their team a standing ovation.
Libertyville withstood a tremendous individual effort down the stretch from Warren junior guard Brandon Paul, and the Wildcats emerged with a signature 66-58 victory in North Suburban Lake Division action.
Libertyville improved to 7-6 overall and 2-4 in the NSC Lake by winning for the fourth time in five games, while Warren fell to 8-5 and 2-3.
"These guys have had our number," Libertyville coach Scott Bogumil said. "We think we're a good team, and it's finally starting to happen for us."
Paul, an Illinois recruit, scored 13 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter. He scored all but four of Warren's points in the quarter before fouling out with 22.9 seconds left.
"He has NBA range," Bogumil said. "Every time it leaves his hand it looks good. I see what (Illinois) coach (Bruce) Weber likes about him."
Warren, down by seven points earlier in the fourth quarter, got as close as 59-58. Warren fouled Libertyville's Joey Aiello with 57.6 seconds remaining. Aiello made both free throws to give his team a three-point lead.
After a missed shot by Warren, Paul got the rebound. His 3-pointer was blocked by senior Greg Vente. Paul then committed his fifth foul, and senior guard Erik Jensen converted the free throws.
Vente was one of three defenders Libertyville ran at Paul during the game. His 6-foot-6 frame gave him the best chance at success.
"He's deceptively quick and he's so long," Bogumil said of Vente. "At practice guys complain that he blocks their shot without leaving his feet."
Libertyville's ability to get to the line was huge. Going into the fourth quarter, Libertyville already was in the bonus. The Wildcats were 22 of 29 from the line compared to Warren's 12 of 15.
"We hurt ourselves by fouling and putting them in the bonus," said Warren coach Chuck Ramsey, whose team was outrebounded 24-16. "They were much more aggressive."
Aiello scored a team-high 16 points. All of his field goals came in the second quarter. He was 6 of 6 at the line in the fourth quarter. Junior center Jeremy Letchford took control early by scoring 7 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter.
"Libertyville played a strong, smart game," Ramsey said. "They deserved to win."
Added Paul: "They got after it, and we weren't ready."
A key play for Libertyville came late in the second quarter after Warren scored eight consecutive points to take a 33-26. The Wildcats regained the momentum when senior Nik Ebert hit a 3-pointer right before the buzzer.
Libertyville junior point guard Josh Trees kept the Wildcats on track on offense and played solid defense. He had 8 points and made was 6 of 8 at the line in the fourth quarter.
"He's poised on the floor," Bogumil said. "Good things happen when the ball is in his hands."