Peterson, Libertyville take center stage
Here's a spotlight on two very gifted players.
From visiting Waukegan on Friday night comes 6-foot-4 Bryant Brown. In this match up at Libertyville, this junior had his team's first 11 points to open the game. Brown opened the third quarter with an 8-point run.
"He's an all-state contender for sure," said Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw.
Libertyville star Drew Peterson agreed with that assessment.
"I have played AAU ball with him, Peterson said. "I really respect his game. He's a great player."
Brown had 28 points and 9 rebounds - yet that wasn't enough for his Bulldogs.
That's because Peterson took over this game. His best play of the game?
The dunk in the third quarter? Maybe not. How about that play at the end of the half?
"I was feeling good all night," he said. "But I lost the ball. I just threw up the ball and it went into the basket."
Peterson led all scorers with 35 points. Libertyville (12-7, 6-2) pulled away from Waukegan 74-60.
Peterson had a dozen points in the high-spirited opening quarter. However, Waukegan (10-9, 3-5), was just 2 points down (19-17).
Following the 11-point run by Bryant Brown, Jordan Brown had back-to-back 3s. On another Jordan Brown score, the Bulldogs had a slim lead in the second quarter.
Libertyville coach, Brian Zyrkowski noted the match up with Bryant Brown was a tough one.
"He's hard to guard," Zyrkowski noted. "He can score inside. And he can also knock down the 3."
The third quarter was key for the Wildcats, and Peterson had some help. Guard Josh Steinhaus (14 points) took the ball to the hoop as the Cats' lead hit double figures.
"They had to focus on Drew," Zyrkowski said.
"We had a great start to the second half," Peterson added. "We kept the tempo going. And we pushed the lead up."
Peterson closed the third quarter with consecutive 3s.
Chase Eyre dropped in a pair of 3s and closed with 10 points for Libertyville.