Leavitt, Pats open with win

Stevenson 64, Holy Trinity 45

Stevenson's boys basketball team resisted the urge to get into a running game with Holy Trinity in the opening session of the Bison Classic at Buffalo Grove Monday.

Instead, the Patriots did what they do well year after year, which is control the tempo, play sound defense and take care of the ball.

Returning starter Jeff Leavitt led the Patriots with 17 points and 7 assists, and Stevenson rolled to a 64-45 victory. The Patriots return to action today against Elgin (0-1) at 7:30 p.m.

"We wanted to run with a purpose but not get too wild," said Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose.

"This was a good first game," Leavitt said. "Everybody played hard. It's good to get the first game out of the way.

"When we wanted to run, we did, and when we wanted to play half court, we did."

"Jeff's like having a coach on the floor," Ambrose said. "He's our leader, and he's been in big games before."

A 9-2 spurt late in the first quarter helped the Patriots build a 19-10 lead, and they turned a 21-10 margin into a 28-12 lead late in the second quarter. Nate Johnson led the balanced attack with 4 points in that stretch.

Leavitt scored 9 points in the first half, and Henry Wood and Jeff Arenson both added 6 before halftime.

After Stevenson outscored the Tigers 24-12 in the third quarter, reserves got some valuable minutes in the fourth. Arenson (7 points), Leavitt (6), and Ryan Chapman (5) were Stevenson's top producers in that quarter.

"I'm pleased with the effort," Ambrose said. "Twenty-three turnovers are way too many, though."

The Patriots showed balance on the offensive end, with Arenson finishing with 13 points, followed by Wood and Johnson with 8 each and Chapman with 7 points.

Stevenson won the rebounding battle, finishing with a 40-32 edge.

Carlos Aguirre was Holy Trinity's leading scorer with 13 points, followed by Cavell Williams with 7.