On Tuesday the boys’ basketball team topped Lake Forest 50-30 to win their sixth straight game to start the season. The Stevenson defense was outstanding the whole game, with guard Willie Herenton ’17 leading the way with seven steals. Herenton also tied forward Justin Smith ’17 for the scoring lead as each compiled 17 points.

Herenton took control of the game early, driving to the basket and drawing a foul seven times before halftime to put Stevenson up 24-11. Guard Eric Zalewski ’17 was on the glass the whole game, picking up four offensive rebounds as well as seven points while steadying the Stevenson defense with his stout defensive play.

In the first quarter, Smith leapt up and made a vicious dunk that brought the crowd up to its feet. Smith did not put up the points we are accustomed to seeing, but he still led Stevenson to the win with his role as a rebounder. Lake Forest constantly paid attention to Smith, which let Herenton be more involved than usual in the offense.

For Lake Forest, the leading scorer was forward Brian Stickler with 13 points, and no one else had double digits. Senior guard Justin McMahon, normally the best player for the Scouts, was held to two points by the stifling Patriot defense.

Lake Forest started making comebacks a couple times, but Stevenson, led by Herenton, stomped the rally out. The Scouts’ main point of attack was to pass the ball in to their big man and have him score, which was the main reason why Stickler scored as many points as he did. Another factor could have been that the Patriot defense, and especially Herenton, was playing successfully aggressive and guarding the perimeter defenders tightly.

Stickler also played good defense on Smith, allowing him to score little, if at all, while Stickler was in the game.

The Patriots have some time for the win to sink in. Their next game is on the 17th at home against Prospect.