McClaughry, Lake Zurich handle Libertyville

Not only did Lake Zurich even the score on Saturday, so did Will McClaughry.

McClaughry, the Bears' 6-foot-7 center, says he didn't have his best performance in an earlier game against Libertyville, a loss, back in December.

He was disappointed because he always enjoys the challenge of keeping up with Libertyville twin towers Joe Borcia (6-foot-10) and Ben Kimpler (6-foot-6).

"I've been going up against Joe in AAU and in fall workouts and I know some of his moves and I think he got the better of me last time," McClaughry said. "This time, I'd like to say I got the better of him."

McClaughry poured in 16 points, hit three 3-pointers and helped take Borcia and Kimpler out of the game in leading Lake Zurich to a 63-47 North Suburban Conference Lake Division victory over the host Wildcats.

The Bears move to 19-6 on the season and 4-4 in the Lake Division. Libertyville, which got only 13 points from Borcia and Kimpler combined after a total of 29 from them in the first matchup, drops to 10-10 and 3-6 in the Lake.

"Will (McClaughry), I thought we contained him the last time we played them," Libertyville coach Scott Bogumil said. "He was the difference in the game this time. He stepped out and hit two 3-pointers and a long jumper and he was really dominant."

Lake Zurich also got big numbers out of guards Mike Travlos and Jack O'Neil. Travlos finished with a game-high 20 points on three 3-pointers while O'Neil had 11 points.

"I think we took away Libertyville's inside play," Travlos said. "That really killed us last time. But tonight, Kimpler (who scored just 4 points and played less than half the game) got into foul trouble and that really helped, and with Borcia (9 points), I think we really contained him. I think that's why we won today."

Lake Zurich extended a 9-point halftime lead (29-20) to as many as 14 points early in the third quarter.

"Our shooting was a big difference in this game," said Lake Zurich coach Billy Pitcher, referencing his team's seven 3-pointers. "That's our strength. We're a deep-shooting team."

The Bears maintained their double-digit advantage until about the midway point of the fourth quarter, when Libertyville started to rally.

The Wildcats had cut their deficit to 6 points with 1:18 left when guard Paul Steinhaus drove to the rim and hit a runner. But the basket was waived off and Steinhaus was called for a charge.

Bogumil vehemently argued the call and was assessed a technical foul. He then plunked himself abruptly into a chair on the bench and was given another technical and thrown out of the game.

Lake Zurich guard Nick Penny promptly hit 3 of the 4 free throws on that exchange and then the Bears closed out the game with 7 unanswered free throws.

"It was a bang-bang play, down 6 and if we go to the free throw line and make it, maybe we're down only 3 with 1:18 left," Bogumil said. "It was a big play, but we also had other chances to win."

The Wildcats thought they missed their chance on the defensive end.

"We came out lethargic," Steinhaus said. "Help defense was bad, on-ball defense was bad. All defense was kind of bad. We didn't pick up our intensity until the third quarter when we finally tightened things up."

Steinhaus finished with 10 points for Libertyville while Conor Peterson added 9 points. They combined for 10 of Libertyville's 16 fourth-quarter points.

Neither Borcia or Kimpler even attempted a shot in the fourth quarter.

"Will (McClaughry) played well and I have a lot of respect for him and me and Ben really weren't able to establish much today," Borcia said. "That was tough, but you've got to give them (Lake Zurich) credit."