Zion-Benton 75, North Chicago 66

The North Chicago boys basketball team had a lot going for it Wednesday in the North Suburban Conference championship game against visiting Zion-Benton.

The sold-out crowd was pro North Chicago, and about 20 minutes before tip-off the school retired the jersey of Michael Turner. After graduating North Chicago, Turner went on to star at Northern Illinois, and he played the last four years for the San Diego Chargers.

"There was a lot of emotion and I was concerned how we would handle it," Zion-Benton coach Don Kloth said.

Thanks in large part to 6-foot-7 junior Markus Yarbrough, the Zee-Bees handled it just fine. Yarbrough had a game-high 21 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks to lead Zion-Benton to a 75-66 victory.

The Zee-Bees, who won the Lake Division, led by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter. Zion-Benton improved to 26-3, while North Chicago, the Prairie Division champions, dropped to 28-4.

"We didn't have a big person to defend Yarbrough in the post," North Chicago coach Gerald Coleman said. "He had the type of game we were hoping he wouldn't have. He was the whole key."

The Zee-Bees used their size inside to attack the offensive glass and generate second-chance points.

"I was always taught that if you don't get the ball in the post, get it off the boards," Yarbrough said.

Senior guard Rodney Clinkscales was 6 of 6 from the line and scored 15 points. Junior Quintrell Love added 12 points.

"My teammates fed off me and I fed off them," Yarbrough said. "Everyone was ready. We played great."

North Chicago sprinted to a 9-4 lead just two minutes into the game, but the Zee-Bees slowly worked their way back and tied the score at 17-17. Zion-Benton led 29-26 at halftime, and one play in the second quarter was symbolic of North Chicago's troubles.

After Zee-Bees junior Ronald Steward missed a 3-pointer, he grabbed the long rebound when he was not boxed out. The result was a quick basket for the Zee-Bees.

"Once we settled down, we played well against a really good team," Kloth said.

Zion-Benton worked the ball inside even more in the second half, while North Chicago too often took quick jump shots. The Zee-Bees also did not allow North Chicago to get as many fast-break points.

It's quite possible North Chicago and Zion-Benton will meet in this game again next year. Each team started only two seniors.

Now, the focus turns to regional play.

"We've accomplished a lot," Coleman said. "Games like this prepare us for the playoffs."