Rams, Zee-Bees perfect in shootout

Flashy junior gaurd Marquise Thomas races up the floor during Warren's game against Fremd on Saturday at the Zion-Benton Shootout.
(Josh Peckler/News-Sun)

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ZION -- Players and fans walking into Zion-Benton High School on Saturday couldn't help but notice the impressive runner-up IHSA Class 4A boys basketball trophy.

All of the key members of that team -- with the exception of graduates Rodney Clinkscales and Antonio Stewart, and absent big man Markus Yarbrough -- were on the court for the first of three Saturday tourneys, and the Bees look like they'll have Lake County buzzing again. Another oversized trophy could definitely be in store.

Zion-Benton, which did not split its squad, went 5-0, blitzing every opponent it played.

In addition to returning starters Ronald Steward, Lenzelle Smith and Yarbrough, Zion returns the area's best sixth man -- Quintrell Love -- and sophomore Owen Worthington. The Bees also added more talent in junior transfer Paul Williams from St. Joseph's in Wisconsin, a tall, ball-handling guard with an outside shot who looks more than capable of making a big contribution. Returning seniors Armani Petersen and Ervin Jacobs also looked solid.

The Grayslake Central Rams, playing without point guard Mike Brum, continued to operate with machine-like efficiency, going 3-0 on the day.

Warren, playing without the services of all-stater Brandon Paul, still registered two wins in three games, losing only to the Rams.

Lakes (1-2 on the day) was without the services of junior Marcell Kirkmanbey for two of their three games. Kirkmanbey was competing in the USTA track and field meet which was also being held at Zion that same day.

The lanky hurdler, who logged a ton of varsity hoops minutes as a sophomore, managed to complete his track day in time to play in the Eagles' last game.

Lakes, which is in the process of installing a new offense, has what looks like a promising junior-to-be in 6-foot-6 Jack Olson to go along with Kirkmanbey and returning starter John Androus .

The Highland Park Giants, who graduated its top six players from last year's conference and regional championship team, were without the services of junior Marin Kukoc on Saturday and dropped three without a win. The team played Lakes even for most of the game before bowing 34-29. They lost sophomore Cole Stern early on after he scored three early buckets, then went down with what appeared to be a sprain.