North Chicago holds off Lakes
Lakes' boys basketball team didn't want a repeat of the first time it had with North Chicago this season.
The Eagles surrendered 106 points and lost by 33.
North Chicago showed off its scoring prowess again Friday night, taking over late in the fourth quarter to capture an 86-73 victory in North Suburban Conference Prairie Division action.
North Chicago was leading 66-59 early in the fourth, but Lakes tried to rally back as Mike Scott (15 points) sank a 3-pointer. On the next possession, he was fouled in the act of shooting for two foul shots.
He also received two more foul shots because the Warhawks' Keith Ford was called for a technical foul.
Scott proceeded to convert all four foul shots to bring the Eagles within 66-63 with four minutes left.
The two teams exchanged baskets until Scott sank another 3 to bring the Eagles within 74-70. But Ford shut the door with two slam dunks in a row, and Blake Collins followed with a layup to give the Warhawks an 80-70 lead with less than a minute left.
"The coach made a great call by putting on a trap and they got a steal," said Scott, who sank three 3s. "Then we turned it over and they picked it up and Keith (Ford) with the two dunks turned the momentum the other way."
Ford led all scorers with 21 points.
"I felt I needed to motivate the team and I did what I can," Ford said. "That was my way of making a statement."
North Chicago improved to 15-2 overall and remained undefeated at 8-0 in the NSC Prairie. Lakes fell to 7-11, 4-3.
John Androus led Lakes in scoring with 23 points.
"I was completely disappointed with the loss," Eagles coach Brian Phelan said. "I thought we started the first and third quarters slow with missed shots and turnovers, but each half we found a way. (North Chicago) is just fast going to the basket."
"Lakes played a real good game," Warhawks coach Gerald Coleman said. "I thought that Lakes would come with a lot of intensity and focus. They didn't really catch us off guard. We knew they were a real good team. Coach Phelan did an excellent job with his kids and he really motivated them."