South Elgin tops Bartlett for 6th straight win

Being a part of a South Elgin starting lineup that has 4 seniors it would be easy for freshman Lane Mcvicar to feel a little out of place.

However, that has not been the case this season.

While not being asked to have a big scoring role Mcvicar has still fit in nicely. But on Friday night Mcvicar stepped up his scoring role with a team-high 17 points in a 72-60 win over visiting rival Bartlett in Upstate Eight Conference action.

The Storm (18-6, 11-2) have won 6 games in a row.

"We have always had confidence in his ability to score," South Elgin coach Brett Johnson said of Mcvicar. "We always tell him to shoot when you have an open shot and tonight he got hot and lit up. That's big for him and a great learning experience. Plus it's great for our team because as he continues to grow as a player it open doors for us down the road."

Mcvicar knocked down all 4 of his 3-point attempts, including one during a 22-1 run in the first quarter that put the Storm in command with a 22-6 lead.

"The other guys have really been great all season and my coaches have been really encouraging," Mcvicar said. "It's really the other guys' time right now. My time to lead will come later. Right now it's just a matter of playing my role and helping them out any way I can. Tonight I was able to flip a switch on and get some points. It felt great. Beating our rivals is the best feeling in the world."

South Elgin led 43-22 at halftime. The Storm shot a blistering 17 of 27 (63 percent) from the field in the first half while holding Bartlett to just 7 of 27 (27 percent) shooting from the field.

"That's the kind of half both offensively and defensively that we have been trying to put together," Johnson said. "Most of the time we are doing one or the other. But tonight we made our shots and then got back down to defend."

Vincent Miszkiewicz added 15 points for the Storm, including 10 during the first quarter surge. Drake Montgomery had 12 points with 10 coming in the first half. Trace Ashby finished with 11 points.

Bartlett (6-19, 3-10) got a big game from senior Austin Gates, who had 25 points. Sophomore Clark Lewis had 13 points off the bench.

"You can't spot a team like South Elgin a 22-6 lead in the first quarter on their home floor," Bartlett coach Jim Wolfsmith said. "I thought we played pretty well the rest of the way, but that was too much to overcome."