Boys Basketball: Mundelein falls to Zion-Benton
By Bryan Bonato Contributor January 31, 2012 11:36PM
Mundelein's Robert Knar (right) grabs a rebound during las week's game against Zion-Benton. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 6, 2012 8:55PM
Sophomore Milik Yarbrough scored 33 points and Zion-Benton never trailed in stunning host Mundelein 69-66 on Tuesday in a North Suburban Conference Lake Division game.
The Zee-Bees (8-10 overall, 2-6 in the division) won for the first time since Dec. 23 — a drought that’s misleading in that the Bees have only played four times since then.
Mundelein (19-6 overall, 6-3 in the division) got 17 points from junior guard Robert Knar and 16 points from Sean O’Brien. O’Brien also had seven boards and eight assists, but fouled with 2:48 left and Zion leading 66-58.
From there, Mundelein got back in it on back-to-back three-pointers by Nate Brune and Knar that made it 66-64 with 2:03 left.
After a series of missed shots at both ends, Maurice Young hit 1-of-2 free throws with 40 seconds left to make it 67-64.
Knar hit a jumper with 31 seconds left to make it 67-66, and Yarbrough nailed two free throws with 18 seconds left to complete the scoring.
Mundelein didn’t have a great final possession and Knar’s shot from way downtown had no chance.
Yarbrough, (10-for-19 from the field, 2-for-3 from behind the arc, and 11-of-13 from the foul line), thought the difference was the guard play of Young and Richard Ray.
“We wanted to win so bad,” he said. “Our point-guard play was really good. Maurice got the ball to where it needed to be, and Richard played a great game.
“He played amazing defense on Robert Knar.”
The win gives Zion a boost heading into a weekend with Lake Zurich on Friday and mighty Warren on Saturday.
“It was a very important game for our confidence,” he said. “We believe we can beat anybody now.”
Zion coach Don Kloth was happy that his players were rewarded for hard work.
“I’m just very happy for our players,” the coach said. “We played well tonight. We have struggled of late. It’s been an unusual year.
“Hopefully, this is a win that will keep our spirits up.”
On the other side, Mundelein now has no chance of catching Warren for the division title.
“In this conference, you have to be ready to play every single game,” said Mustang coach Richard Knar. “I don’t think we were prepared to play.
“Before the game, I told them I didn’t like the vibe ... I didn’t like the focus. It started in the locker room before the game.”
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