Conant can't overcome lid on basket
The Conant boys basketball team did everything it set out to do Friday night in the Class 4A regional final against third-seeded Zion-Benton.
But even that wasn't enough to earn the Cougars a win, instead falling 66-54 before a capacity crowd at Zion-Benton High School.
The Cougars (19-8) seemed to have everything working for them. They outrebounded the Zee-Bees, turned the ball over less and shot 12-of-13 from the free-throw line. It was all part of a game plan that gave the Cougars a 27-23 halftime lead.
But Zion (25-6) went on an 11-2 run to open the third quarter and never looked back. The Cougars shot 1-for-16 from the 3-point line in the second half.
"We just couldn't put the ball in the hole," said Cougars senior Tim Gilhooly. "That's what it comes down to. You've got to score points. We did stick to the game plan. We did do everything well. We can't hang our heads."
"If some of those shots go down, then it's a whole different story," said Cougars coach Tom McCormack. "I thought our guys were patient to a fault, took good shots, and for some reason couldn't make a shot. By the time we maintained our composure, they got a little bit of a spread on us."
Conant was led by seniors Cameron Leavitt (20 points), Gilhooly (13) and Tony Rizzo (11). The Zee-Bees received a big night from Ohio State-bound junior guard Lenzelle Smith, who scored 26 points, including two 3-pointers and an 8-of-9 performance from the free-throw line. They also had three more players in double figures.
"They're just a great team," Leavitt said. "Not everything was going for them right away. We managed to slow them down a little. But they got the momentum and got the crowd behind them."
The Zee-Bees, the 4A runner-up last season, will face Waukegan in the sectional semifinal Wednesday.
"We knew this was going to be a tough battle," McCormack said. "I couldn't be prouder of our effort."
"It's what we all dream for, a great opportunity to play a great team," Leavitt said. "It was a great season."