Lake Zurich opened the boys basketball season knowing that it could not count on the same formula for winning as last season.
A year ago, the Bears were an overtime loss away from reaching a Class 4A supersectional. This season, the Bears had to replace the scoring of Nick Penny and Nick Meyer, who graduated last spring.
“I think all of the players knew we had to get a lot better offensively because we had to make up basically 40 points a game,” senior guard Brian Chmiel said.
The combination of a strong senior group and young emerging talent allowed the Bears to retool and maintain a high level of play. Michael Bens, a skilled outside shooter, made the leap from third scorer to No. 1 option.
“The senior class had a very good bond, a great chemistry, and we worked very hard,” senior guard Brett Hensley said. “The coaches did a great job of preparing us for this year.”
The present and future of the program entwined Friday in the Class 4A Lake Zurich Regional final. The Bears displayed toughness and resilience while twice battling back from 10-point second half deficits before falling 51-47 to Grant.
Chris Trybula, a top post presence for Lake Zurich, missed most of the season after tearing an ACL at the Pekin Holiday Tournament. The Bears missed his ability to grab rebounds and protect the rim.
“We lost our seniors last year, and then we lost another senior this year,” junior guard Ryan Kutsor said. “I was really proud of how we battled this year. Players like Michael Bens, Brian Chmiel and Brett Hensley, they knew they were role players last year and they had to step up and make plays. They were great guys to play with.”
Bens went out in high style and brought the Bears back to the cusp of victory against Grant. He drilled three 3-pointers in the third quarter and finished with a game-high 17 points. Chmiel finished with five points, five rebounds and three assists. Hensley’s pressure defense helped trigger the comeback.
The seniors took ownership of the team as the juniors adapted to significant varsity roles. Kutsor and junior guard Peter DiCerbo (12 points, seven rebounds against Grant) matured under the seniors’ leadership.
“I think a big reason we did not drop off from last year is the seniors really became the leaders,” Hensley said.
That steely determination and resolve was evident in the Bears’ final game. Every time Grant appeared on the verge of pulling away, Lake Zurich (19-12) answered with strong play.
Kutsor (10 points, six rebounds) scored on a tough baseline fadeaway jumper and drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing to spark a 10-2 run that pulled the Bears within two points with just over a minute to play.
Although the Bears failed to win back-to-back regional titles, the seniors made sure this season was a building block.
“Our seniors made practice fun everyday,” Pitcher said. “They were accepting of their roles and great people to be around. I am going to miss those practices everyday.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
