After quick start, Libertyville fades against Zion-Benton
After losing to Zion-Benton by only 2 points in their first meeting, host Libertyville was ready to knock off the Zee-Bees on Tuesday night in North Suburban Lake Division boys basketball action.
But despite taking an 18-17 lead after one quarter, the Wildcats were unable to contain Zion-Benton's athleticism as the Zee-Bees built a 31-26 halftime lead en route to a 65-53 NSC Lake Division victory. With Stevenson beating Lake Forest, Zion-Benton (15-8, 6-2) is now tied for first place with the Scouts in the division.
Libertyville (10-8, 5-3) was outscored 28-14 in the second and third quarters combined as the Zee-Bees built their biggest lead at 45-30 late in the third quarter. The Wildcats were outrebounded 40-22 overall and they headed into the fourth quarter trailing 45-32.
"In the first game we had a big early lead and they kept coming back on us," said Zion-Benton coach Don Kloth. "I think the difference was inside play and I think rebounding was probably the key."
Ohio State-bound senior Lenzell Smith had 12 of his 15 points in the first half for Zion-Benton, including a big left-handed dunk for a 30-26 lead just before the intermission.
The Zee-Bees continued to add to their lead in the third quarter as senior center Cordaryus Craigen (team-high 16 points) hit an inside basket before teammate Paul Williams' 3-pointer gave the visitors a commanding 15-point lead with 1:55 remaining in the period.
"We just couldn't convert offensively, we just got so stagnant and they extended their lead," said Libertyville coach Scott Bogumil, whose team hit only 3 of 9 free throws. "I'm just really disappointed in our panick mode on offense, and we were just shooting the ball too fast."
The Wildcats did try to put together a late rally as a 3-pointer by Billy Meyer and a fastbreak basket by Tyler Schweigert cut the lead to 59-47 with 1:23 to play.
But a missed drive with 1:01 to play could have cut the lead to 10, and the Zee-Bees would easily hold on in the final minute of play.
Senior Hobie Herberger scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the first half for Libertyville while Meyer and junior guard Ryan Barth scored 12 points each.
Senior Eric Pasiewicz hit double figures with 10 points for Zion-Benton with teammates Owen Worthington and Rolland Griffin scoring 9 points apiece.
Craigen hauled down 11 rebounds while Worthington had 10 rebounds. Meyer led the Wildcats with 8 rebounds while sophomore teammate Luke Mathewson grabbed 7 rebounds.
"Lenzelle Smith is just a total difference-maker because he can score inside and out and he's got great court vision," Bogumil said. "It was just a bad night, but we'll go back to practice and get back at them (against Warren on Saturday)."