Stevenson bounces back from loss to top Dundee-Crown
Energy and defense was the combination for Stevenson's boys basketball team in rebounding after a tough North Suburban Conference overtime loss to Waukegan on Tuesday night.
The Patriots knocked down 10 3-pointers in a 60-46 victory over visiting Dundee-Crown in a nonconference game at Woodlawn Middle School in Long Grove on Wednesday night.
Evan Porto had a career-high 17 points to lead the Patriots (6-3) and Darius Clemons added 13 points and 6 rebounds.
"I've never had this many points in a high school game," Porto said. "I'd say it starts on the defensive end with the rest of my teammates. Getting stops brings us energy and momentum. It makes it easier on the offensive end."
Stevenson used a 9-0 run late in the first half that was off Dundee-Crown (3-3) turnovers. The Patriots held a 25-14 advantage at the break and took control.
"The biggest thing I liked about it all was the energy," said Stevenson assistant coach Chandler Levingston, who filled in for head coach Pat Ambrose, who was not at the game for unexplained reasons.
"We came out after a loss and we just came out and wanted to play. We just really, really, really wanted a win and it showed. The defense was the driving force in our run. We couldn't get things going until we got the stops."
Dundee-Crown's Hunter Guyon lead the way for the Chargers with a team-high 15 points off the bench.
"I do like coming off the bench, it gives me time to think what I have to do," Guyon said, "so I can evaluate when I come into the game. Stevenson, definitely plays more physical than the teams we play and it was a different look for us."
The Chargers had an opportunity to play someone different from the teams in the Fox Valley Conference and matched up with the Patriots. However, Stevenson ran away a bit in the second half and extended the lead to their advantage.
"(Stevenson) did a great job against us," Dundee-Crown coach Lance Huber said. "They hit some timely 3s in the second half for some separation. We just had some untimely turnovers.
"The whole season is unique and we wanted to see someone different."