Boys Basketball: Brunson scores 21 as Stevenson trips Zion-Benton
By Bryan Bonato Special to The News-Sun January 21, 2012 10:28PM
Zion-01/21/12, Sat./Zion High School #20 Matt Morrissey, of Stevenson, with the bucket vs. Zion. | Joe Shuman~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 24, 2012 2:42PM
Zion-Benton’s first game in 29 days and first home game of the season started out well, as two buckets by Milik Yarbrough gave the Zee-Bees a 4-0 lead.
But Stevenson then scored 14 straight points and was never seriously challenged thereafter, as the Patriots (11-7 overall, 4-3 in the North Suburban Conference Lake Division) snapped a six-game losing streak with a 64-51 victory.
Zion (7-8 overall, 1-4 in the division) had the long layoff due to playing an early holiday tourney, followed by a teachers strike that played havoc with the schedule.
“It was weird. Not only because we hadn’t played a home game, but because we hadn’t played in so long,” said Yarbrough, a 6-foot-5 sophomore who had a game-high 22 points. “It’s a lot different playing at game speed. We haven’t played that way in almost a month.
“When you turn the ball over in practice, you get it right back. But I knew we’d play better in the second half because we got used to playing at that speed.”
Stevenson led 27-17 at halftime and scored the first five points of the third quarter to make it 32-17.
Zion eventually got within six points late, but this was Stevenson’s night.
Patriot freshman guard Jalen Brunson poured in 21 points and had five assists to key the victory.
“He’s a special player,” said Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose of the son of Chicago Bulls assistant coach Rick Brunson. “He’s not really a freshman anymore. It’s 2012 and he’s played enough games that he has plenty of varsity experience.”
Helping Brunson was senior star Michael Fleming, who had 11 points. Post player Colby Cashaw added nine.
For Zion, Niko Paaloalo had eight points.
On Tuesday, Stevenson will play at Warren, trying for a series sweep of the Blue Devils.
Zion-Benton will host Libertyville the same night.
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