Lake Zurich takes advantage of slow Carmel start
Don't worry, Carmel Catholic fans.
Just a hunch, but your varsity boys basketball team is going to win its share of games this season. Especially if it plays like it did in the second half Tuesday evening in Fox Lake.
In the interim, however, there is one thing that coach Zach Ryan and his troops need to address.
"It's been a theme for us dating back to last season where we still need to figure out how to start strong," Ryan said after the Corsairs played ferociously in the fourth quarter but ended up on the short end of a 72-58 decision against Lake Zurich in the second round of the Grant Thanksgiving tournament.
"We have a good team. I was happy with our tenacity and intensity in the second half. I don't know if we're timid or what when we come out. We've been in both games we've played so far."
Carmel Catholic played well in the second half, outscoring the Bears 37-35. The turnaround started taking shape after Lake Zurich built its biggest lead (50-26) with 5:25 left in the third.
Corsair senior guard Shareif Belser-Bailey had caught fire, scoring all 11 of his points in the second half and help eventually cut that deficit down to 11 points on two occasions in the fourth.
Lake Zurich had foul problems as well and Carmel connected on 11-of-14 free throws in the second half, including 10-of-12 in the fourth.
But it was the first half that Ryan alluded to where Lake Zurich pretty much had its way and take control of the game, which was largely due to excellent free throw shooting and a handful of 3-pointers.
The Bears (2-0) benefited from a foul-crazy first half in which they made 19-of-25 free throw attempts to help build a 37-21 advantage going into the break.
And of course, down the stretch Carmel Catholic (0-2) was inching closer and was forced to foul. Except for a layup by senior forward Nick Meyer, all of the Bears' points came from the foul line where they converted on 13-of-14 in the fourth period.
"We knew how aggressive they (Carmel) played," said Meyer, who finished with 15 points. "After every drill in practice, we go and shoot 10 free throws. We work really hard on our free-throw shooting."
That certainly showed as Lake Zurich drained 32-of-40 for the game.
Junior guard Michael Bens (15 points) was 10-for-13, while senior guard Nick Penny (game-high 16 points) dropped in 11-of-12 before fouling out late in the contest.
Carmel held a 4-2 lead after layup by senior center Sean Foster (7 points). But Lake Zurich seized the lead for good at 5-4 after a pair of free throws by Penny. From there, the Bears distanced themselves by outscoring Carmel Catholic 33-17 the rest of the first half.
"I was in a better mood yesterday after we won, but we'll take 2-0," said Lake Zurich coach Billy Pitcher. "We were out of synch with our ball handling tonight. And we have to cut down on the turnovers."
Senior forward Danny Carlson chipped in 10 points as Lake Zurich had four players in double-figures.
Meanwhile, senior guard CJ Duff and senior center Matthew Stephens joined Belser-Bailey in double-figures for Carmel, scoring 13 and 12, respectively.