Fast-paced Libertyville handles Elk Grove

Libertyville boys basketball coach Scott Bogumil says his program would get back to being more up-tempo this season.

Tuesday night, in the Wildcats' second game of the Chuck Mitchell Thanksgiving tournament at Fenton High School, the Wildcats followed his direction in defeating the Elk Grove Grenadiers 52-23.

Led by junior Ryan Barth (16 points, 6-for-8 at the foul line) and senior Ryan Colao (8 points, two 3s), Libertyville swarmed the Grens' offense, which led to easy fastbreak points.

"(Elk Grove) was patient, and they got two quick buckets," said Bogumil. "We were able to pick up the tempo and get a lot of buckets in transition."

The tone was set early by 6-foot-3 senior Billy Meyer.

With Libertyville (2-0) ahead 6-4, Meyer blocked a 3-point attempt at the top of the key, gathered the basketball, raced down court and finished with a powerful two-handed dunk.

"We were smothered in transition," said Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman. "They had us on our heels offensively through the entire game."

The Wildcats' defense held the Grens to single digits in each quarter and opened to door for a 20-point second quarter for Libertyville.

Elk Grove (0-2) couldn't seem to recover from the big halftime deficit and was forced to attack the half-court pressure of Libertyville.

"The early lead helped," Bogumil said. "We used our 'long' players, and they had to attack us. It played into our hands."

The Wildcats were much happier with their performance Tuesday night than they were Monday against Lake Park, a 55-38 victory for Libertyville.

"We settled down and played more up-tempo," said Barth. "It's more fun to play that way."

Senior center Scott Siwicki and senior forward Nick Rathman led the Grens with 6 points each.