Scouts honor: Lake Forest stuns Zion-Benton

LAKE FOREST -- Most people would agree that it would take an extraordinary effort for a North Suburban Conference Lake Division opponent to end Zion-Benton High's lengthy boys basketball win streak.

Besides getting that special effort team-wise, knocking off the Zee-Bees was probably going to need an extraordinary display from a star player.

Lake Forest got those performances and more in stunning visiting Zion-Benton 64-62 on Tuesday.

Junior forward Matt Vogrich poured in 30 points on 10 of 13 shooting -- including 4 for 6 from beyond the 3-point arc -- and pulled down a team-best 7 rebounds to pace the Scouts.

Vogrich also nailed down three key free throws in the final 11 seconds to help his team erase a 62-61 deficit to pull out the victory over the state's fifth-ranked team in Class 4A.

"I got it going early (shooting) and then I attacked the rim and made some free throws," said Vogrich, whose performance was seen by Northwestern coach Bill Carmody .

"Coach ( Phil LaScala ) talking to me after the Bloomington (holiday tournament) about being more aggressive and going to the basket more. I was looking to do that in this game."

Vogrich wasted little time making his presence known for Lake Forest (9-5 overall, 3-2 in the NSC Lake) on Tuesday, as he put in seven points in the opening quarter to help the Scouts build a 14-11 lead.

Treys from Vogrich and Andy Timson (15 points) helped Lake Forest increase its lead to 25-15 early in the second quarter, but Zion (16-1, 5-1) came storming back with eight straight points by forcing three Scouts' turnovers.

Lake Forest held onto a 32-30 lead at halftime, with the Zee-Bees appearing to be on the verge of a getting on a roll in the third quarter -- cutting the lead to 48-47 heading into the final period.

Led by Ronald Steward (13 points) and Rodney Clinkscales (8 points), Zion scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to take a 53-48 lead, but the Scouts wouldn't let the Bees get away.

Vogrich scored on a pair of drives and Kevin Gaughan (12 points) drained a clutch 3-pointer to put Lake Forest ahead 55-54 with just over four minutes left.

The game stayed tight the rest of the way, with Clinkscales putting Zion ahead again at 62-62 with 35 seconds remaining with two charity tosses.

Vogrich then converted a pair of free throws after a hard foul on a drive to the hoop with 11 seconds left to give his team a 63-62 lead.

Clinkscales then drove the length of the court before his short jumper rolled out into the hands of Vogrich, who was fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws for 64-62 lead with 3 seconds remaining.

A long Zion pass from baseline to baseline was touched out of bounds by Lake Forest, giving the Zee-Bees one last shot with 2.1 seconds left.

Zion in-bounded the ball under its own basket to Quintrell Love (13 points), but his 3-point attempt bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

"You have to give all the credit to Lake Forest," said Zion coach Don Kloth, whose team made only 15 of 27 free throws in the close contest .

"We knew this was going to be a tough game for us, it always is against Lake Forest. They played well and deserved to win."