This time, OT favors Wauconda
Austin Swenson scored 19 points, and Kodey Thomas added 17, as Wauconda’s boys basketball team outlasted visiting Vernon Hills 63-61 in overtime Friday night.
Swenson also had 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, as the Bulldogs improved to 5-5 and 3-1 in the North Suburban Prairie Division with their fourth win in a row.
Dion Head contributed 10 points for Wauconda, which had been 0-2 in overtime games this season. Devon King also came up big for the Bulldogs, totaling 8 points and 11 rebounds. Keith Blomberg chipped in 5 points and 4 assists.
The game was tied 54-54 at the end of regulation.
Vernon Hills (4-5, 1-1) was led in scoring by Nate Rathod with 15 points.
Stephen Curry had 14 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds for the Cougars. Robby Nardini scored 12 points. Rathod, Nardini and Dylan McNamara (9 points) each sank three 3-pointers. TJ Flis had 7 points and 7 boards.
Zion-Benton 57, Lake Zurich 47: Mike Travlos scored 19 points for the visiting Bears, who trailed 28-24 at halftime and 40-36 after three quarters in the North Suburban Lake Division game.
Ryan Roach added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals for Lake Zurich (4-5, 1-3) and played what coach Billy Pitcher called a “great floor game” with only 1 turnover.
“But after that turnover, he stole the ball right back,” Pitcher said.
Zion-Benton’s Milik Yarbrough had 26 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter.
“We just had no answer for him in the post,” Pitcher said after his Bears got outrebounded 31-21. “We played hard and were close all night.”
Zion-Benton’s lead didn’t hit double digits until a pair of run-outs at the end.
“Just not enough help on Yarbrough and too many offensive rebounds for them,” Pitcher said. “I’m proud of our effort. (Zion-Benton) is a very talented team, and to be nip and tuck all game at their place shows how good we can be.”
Round Lake 63, Northtown Academy 48: On Thursday night, the Panthers earned their first win of the season, capturing the nonconference game on Chicago’s north side.
James Mobley led all scorers with 19 points for Round Lake (1-7), and Zach Pick posted a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.