Lake Park overcomes fatigure, Streamwood

With some tired boys basketball tournament legs on the court, Lake Park did not muster a lot of offense in the fourth quarter, but the Lancers did manage to play solid defense and score just enough points to prevail.

The Lancers outscored Streamwood 5-0 in the fourth quarter to pull out a 50-46 win Monday night on the final day of the Wheaton Academy Thanksgiving Tournament. With the win Lake Park finished 2-2 at the tourney while the Sabres wound up 1-3.

"We found a way tonight. Both teams were tired. I think by the fourth quarter - it's that way with tournaments when you get to the fourth day - both teams are gassed," Lake Park coach Josh Virostko said. "So you've got to find a way, so I'm proud of them that way. But we can make it a lot easier for ourselves if we play better fundamental basketball."

The Lancers were due for a tight victory, having dropped 2-point affairs with both tourney champion Downers Grove North and Bartlett at Wheaton Academy before prevailing Monday behind senior guard Garett Fant's game-high 18 points.

"If they keep playing hard they'll be in games, they'll have a chance," Virostko said. "I think it was 48-46 and at that point both teams were so gassed, we were just lucky we had the 2 - point lead. All the legs were tired and the shots were flat."

The Sabres led 46-45 after three quarters following a late putback by forward Phil Cruz. But Jake Hianik knocked down a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter and that proved to be the difference with points scarce in the final quarter.

"We gave them a lot of chances," said Fant, who like his coach felt his team should have padded its lead more in the fourth quarter. "We didn't execute at all in the entire fourth quarter. We didn't score very much. It was good defensive effort, but again it was terrible execution on offense."

But Fant, who added 8 rebounds and 3 steals to his offensive outburst, expects the Lancers to battle each and every night this season.

"There's not a lot of games that we're not going to be in because we play with a lot of heart and determination," he said.

Streamwood coach Paul Kowalyszyn also likes his team's effort on the floor. He just wants to see the players work together more as a team and then he expects the results to improve.

"The kids are playing hard, we just need to find a way win," he said. "That (fourth quarter) comes down to learning and guys playing organized. We've got a lot of athleticism, but we've got to work it out where guys know how to play the actual game and not just pickup ball."

Jason Manalansan connected on four 3-pointers to pace the Sabres with 12 points, while Malik Butler added 11 points off the bench. Brendon Marton led Streamwood with 8 rebounds.

"We can get there," Kowalyszyn added. "One thing I will say about my guys, so far this year they play hard for every minute they're on the floor. They're busting their butts. Now they've got to bust their butts and at the same time do the right things."