Libertyville can't catch up to Zion-Benton
Two schools of thought here. And frankly, one of those schools have been closed for some time.
Tanya Johnson, Zion-Benton's veteran girls basketball coach, let her Zee-Bees have it. It might have been heard in nearby Mundelein. She was screaming at the top of her lungs at her team, which had fallen behind Monday night at Libertyville.
And maybe it worked. One player most definitely listening was Morgan Callahan, who went home with a double-double (17 points, 16 rebounds).
On a Margaret Buchert (21 points), drive to the hoop early in the second quarter, the Wildcats were up 20-14. It didn't last. Z-B escaped Libertyville with a 60-55 North Suburban Conference victory.
“We started out strong tonight,'' Buchert said. “We struggled with our block outs but we fought hard and played as a team.”
Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen tipped his hat toward the Zion team.
“(Callahan) is tough to handle,'' Pedersen said. “Zion has a load of good players.”
Callahan was not the only player to reach a double-double in this game. Sophomore Lauren Huber of Libertyville scored 11 points and garnered 11 rebounds.
“I try and find the other girls and get rebounds,'' Huber said. “I like to drive and dish.”
Pedersen also touted Huber.
“She is a special player,'' he said. “Her motor doesn't quit.”
Huber's flip shot opened the second quarter scoring and the Cats were up 18-13. Zion erased the lead before Huber landed a 3-pointer and Buchert beat the halftime buzzer. Libertyville (13-5, 7-1) was up 29-28.
Lydia Crow (8 points) opened the second half with her first 3-pointer. It kept the Cats ahead. The Zee-Bees finished the third quarter with a 6-0 run and took a 43-38 lead to the fourth quarter.
Buchert opened the fourth quarter with a steal and bucket.
“Margaret does a lot for us,'' Pedersen said. “We feed off of her energy.”
Crow's second 3 of the game pulled the Cats within a single point at 51-50. Zion salted the game away from the free throw line.