Deerfield jolts Stevenson

The 9 a.m. start for its opening game against Deerfield in the Wheeling Wildcat Hardwood Classic Tournament did not seem to agree with the Stevenson boys.

"We were sleep walking," was how junior Nate Johnson described the start of the game.

Deerfield limited Stevenson to 1 field goal in the first quarter and enjoyed the lead the entire game. Deerfield junior Duje Dukan hit a trio of 3-pointers to lead the Warriors to a 52-40 victory.

Stevenson (3-5) has struggled on offense of late. In a 57-33 loss to Lake Forest on Saturday, the Patriots made 1 field goal in the second half. So before a 13-point second quarter against Deerfield (3-6), the Patriots had just 3 goals over their last three quarters.

Stevenson was greeted by a Deerfield team that coach Bret Just said probably played its best game of the season. The Warriors went to a 2-3 zone in an attempt to negate Stevenson's edge inside.

"We didn't want to make it a physical game," Just said. "We wanted them to be a jump-shooting team."

Stevenson settled down in the second quarter and was within 18-15 after a basket by senior Henry Wood. But Dukan responded with a 3-pointer right before the halftime buzzer.

Dukan, 6-foot-7, finished with a game-high 17 points. He scored the first 6 points of the second half by draining two more 3-pointers.

"He has an unbelievable stroke from the 3-point line and that's why he's getting some high Division I looks," Just said. "He's very skilled with the ball."

Stevenson closed to 42-34 in the fourth quarter, but could get no closer. Deerfield was 15 of 21 from the free-throw line while Stevenson was 3 of 5.

"We got within shouting distance but we never put a lot of pressure on them," Patriots coach Pat Ambrose said. "We didn't come ready to play. They were more energetic and took it to us."

Most of Stevenson's offense came from Johnson, senior Henry Wood and senior Jeff Arenson. Johnson was an efficient 4 of 7 from the field (12 points). Wood also had 12 points.

Johnson and Wood had 6 and 5 rebounds, respectively. Arenson hit 3 3-pointers and scored 11 points.

"Nate (Johnson) crashed the boards and played with energy," Ambrose said.

The Patriots continue to search for consistency on offense.

"We didn't adjust to the zone very well," Arenson said. "We didn't have a solid stretch on offense."

Stevenson next plays Niles North at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.