Boys Basketball: Stevenson figures to be dangerous in playoffs

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Libertyville's Matthew Varner (No. 34) and Libertyville's Ellis Matthews (No. 5) apply heavy pressure on Stevenson's Colby Cashaw during Friday's game. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:24AM

Forget for a moment that Stevenson’s boys basketball team was approaching the double-digit mark in the loss column. 

The fact remains, the Patriots (13-9 overall, 4-5 North Suburban Conference Lake) have demonstrated they could be one of the area’s most dangerous clubs when the IHSA Class 4A playoffs begin in March. 

And the numbers and statistics paint a clear picture why. 

After storming out of the gates and roaring to a 10-1 start — including an upset home win over defending Class 4A state runner-up Warren — Stevenson has gone just 3-8 since. But none of that may matter when the postseason arrives. 

In the Patriots’ nine losses, eight have come by eight points or fewer. Six of their losses have been by four points or less. Their lone double-digit loss? A 64-38 blowout rematch at Warren on Jan. 24. Stevenson also has played in three overtime games, posting a 1-2 record. 

And after opening the season with a slew of home games, during which the Pats lost just once — to Grant in overtime — Stevenson has played eight of its last nine on the road.  

“Maybe we’re a little worn from playing on the road so much, I don’t know,” said Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose. “But that’s no excuse at all. We’re old enough now to handle those kinds of things.” 

When Stevenson is at its best, the Pats have been nothing short of spectacular. In fact, on any given night, seven or eight of the Patriots’ players are fully capable of producing double-digit scoring totals.  

In Friday’s 62-60 loss at Libertyville, four players hit that mark. 

Freshman Jalen Brunson (game-high 18 points, 4 first-quarter assists) and sophomore guard Matt Morrissey (10 points on 5-for-9 shooting) led the way for Stevenson, who also out-rebounded the Wildcats by a staggering 24-6 margin in the first half, including 8-3 on the offensive glass.  

Senior guard Michael Fleming, the team’s top scorer most nights — and one of Lake County’s most dangerous three-point threats — scored 10 points. And 6-foot-6 senior forward Colby Cashaw (10 points, 7 rebounds) made all five of his field-goal attempts, which included a pair of rim-rocking, first-quarter dunks. 

“We’re definitely a very talented team,” Fleming said. “We have a lot of threats, both with our starters and role players. And we have a lot of playmakers on this team who are really unselfish and know how to get the ball to the right guys. We’ve proven we can beat really good teams. I know we’re a dangerous club. When the seedings come out, I don’t think there’s a lot of teams who are gonna want to play us in the playoffs.” Just what that seed will be, in a stacked sectional that currently has no fewer than 15 teams with winning records, remains to be seen. Even the teams without a winning mark, such as Zion-Benton, are extremely dangerous.

“After this (loss) to Libertyville, I’m not sure where (I think) we should be seeded,” Ambrose said. “We’ve been in almost every game we’ve played, which says a lot. We’ll see.” 

Scoring points hasn’t been a problem for the Patriots, who have had a slew of games in which they’ve shot at or above 50 percent from the field. They did so again against Libertyville (24-for-48). It’s been at the other end of the floor where Ambrose hopes his team will improve during the last few weeks of the regular season. 

“If we’re going to be successful in the postseason, the two biggest keys will be playing better defense, and getting to the free-throw line more,” Ambrose said. “Losing so many close games lately — it doesn’t feel real good right now, to be honest. But I am pleased we’ve been creating more turnovers lately, and getting some open looks and easy shots at the basket.” 

The Patriots will be looking for a bit of revenge when they visit Lake Forest on Friday. The Scouts stunned the Patriots 53-48 on Stevenson’s home court last month, and it was the second loss during an unexpected, six-game losing streak. 

“We just have to be stronger finishing games,” Ambrose said. “Once we get a lead late, which has happened a lot, we have to finish.”