Nice finish as Warren gets started with a win

For starters, this wasn't a bad start for the Warren boys basketball team.

After a sluggish first quarter that coach Jon Jasnoch called "a first-game quarter," the Blue Devils scored 12 of the last 13 points to close the half en route to a 72-52 win over Lake Forest Academy at the Mundelein Holiday Tournament.

"We started to make some shots in the second quarter," Jasnoch said. "Then we get a couple of turnovers and turn them into baskets, and all of a sudden we have a 9-point lead."

The Blue Devils extended their halftime lead of 42-25 to over 20 points thanks to a barrage to start the third quarter. Barak Diehl scored 6 of his team-best 18 points in the period as Warren (1-0) pulled to a 62-40 advantage after three quarters.

"We are going to have to step it up on defense and push the ball and run," Diehl said. "Obviously we aren't the biggest team, so we will have to use our speed and quickness to get it done."

The long-range shooting for Warren worked well as the Devils drained eight 3s.

"We do have a lot of guards," Jasnoch said. "But we have some big men that can step out and shoot it as well."

Warren cruised in the final quarter never letting the lead get under 16 points the rest of the way. Senior Branden Ellis tallied 13 points on the night to go with 4 steals for the only other Blue Devil in double figures.

Lake Forest Academy freshman Brandon Weston led all scorers in the game with 26 points including an array of high-flying dunks. Teammate Bellamy Marcus added 12 for the Caxys.