One fine Frenzy
After the public address announcer shouted his name during starting-lineup introductions - and the articulate and enthusiastic lady had to shout, mind you, because Waukegan's East Campus gym was already extremely loud - Ronald Steward looked into the Waukegan-side stands and smiled.
And with that, another February Frenzy game was set to tip off.
"I grew up in Waukegan so this is like a homecoming game for me," Zion-Benton's point guard said.
When the madness was over, with the 5-foot-10 Steward chasing down his eighth rebound of the night and then flipping it high in the air as the buzzer sounded, he was wearing an even wider smile.
Led by Steward, who was the star on a court filled with them with a game-high 32 points, including seven 3-pointers, Zion-Benton outscored Waukegan 95-86 in a game that had all the feel of March Madness.
"You got your $3 worth, for sure," Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw said.
Never before have Lake County boys basketball fans been treated to better entertainment in a season, and Tuesday night was more of the same fun, with a sold-out crowd, including Illinois coach Bruce Weber, enjoying every moment.
How hot a $3 ticket was the contest, which was simply a nonconference game, albeit between two of the state's best teams?
They were turning fans away at 6 p.m., an hour before game time. The line outside was circling the block. Inside, the sophomore game was played in front of a standing-room-only audience, and when it ended, few people, if any, left their seat.
They saw highlight after highlight.
Like Waukegan's Steve Conner burying a 3 just nine seconds into the game, then making 3 free throws just 37 seconds later.
Like Zion-Benton's Lenzelle Smith, the junior who's committed to Ohio State, soaring for a one-handed dunk.
Like Steward's how'd-he-do-that reverse layup at full speed.
Like Smith's 180-degree spin on Fairfield University recruit Colin Nickerson and subsequent pinpoint pass to Tennessee State-bound Markus Yarbrough for an easy layup.
Like Steward's deft touch pass to Quintrell Love for another uncontested layup.
Like Jereme Richmond, the junior who's given a verbal commitment to Weber's Illini, jamming with one hand on an alley-oop pass from Conner.
Like a big-boy shoving match between the 6-8 Yarbrough and the 6-7 Richmond. (Both players received technical fouls).
And that was just the first half!
Sure, it was Feb. 10. But this was a sneak preview of March Madness.
"We're on the doorstep of March so it's good to have our guys in that atmosphere," said Ashlaw, whose team experienced a similar atmosphere when it hosted high-flying North Chicago last week.
Great players rise during big games, and Tuesday night provided another example of that. Richmond finished 28 points (17 coming in the fourth quarter to help Waukegan cut an 18-point deficit to six to a minute to go) and 6 blocks; Conner had 24 points; Nickerson recorded a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
For Zion-Benton, Yarbrough had 17 points and 8 rebounds, Smith finished with 11 and 7.
And then there was Steward, the same kid whose half-court shot gave the Zee-Bees a dramatic state semifinal win over Evanston last year.
He was magnificent all night. Clutch all night. He finished 9 of 13 from the floor, missing only 2 of his 9 three-point tries.
"I just let it go," he said. "I try to shoot my best shot every shot I shoot."
Steward has yet to commit to a college. And considering his height, some might think he's too small to play Division I.
I'd strongly disagree. And I'm guessing a lot of people feel the same way as I do.
"My dad takes care of all the recruiting," Steward said.
Zion-Benton's four-year starting guard takes care of helping his high school basketball team win. And the defending Class 4A state runners-up might be playing their best ball.
Zion-Benton (19-6), which handed Waukegan (16-3) its first loss after seven straight wins, has won nine of its last 10.
"I think we're pulling it together," Steward said. "Everybody hates losing. We had a little losing streak, but we kind of got our act together. Everybody talked over their problems and we just go out every day in practice and try to do everything Coach says, plus 10."
The proof is on the court.
jaguilar@dailyherald.com