Bulldogs pitch a complete game
By P.J. Bonato Special to The News-Sun December 7, 2012 10:08PM
Waukegan plays Evanston at home in High School Varsity Basketball, Waukegan's Devonte Taylor guards Evanston's Pete Winslow. | Mark Ukena~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 9, 2013 6:05AM
Four players scored in double figures as host Waukegan snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Evanston 65-53 on Friday night in the Dog Pound.
The Bulldogs (4-4 overall, 1-1 in the Central Suburban League South Division) were in command throughout against a young Evanston team (no returning starters) that is now 4-4 on the season and 0-2 in the division.
Devonte Taylor had 21 points to lead Waukegan, while Cornell Fort and Jordan Johnson each scored 15 and junior center Jerome Davis added 11.
The first quarter was Waukegan at its very best.
The Bulldogs hit 9-of-11 shots from the field, played fast, and built a 22-13 lead. Fort had a dozen points in the period.
The second quarter was more of the same, as the Bulldogs stretched the lead to 39-23 at the break. Taylor had 12 points in the period, and for the half, Waukegan was 14-of-24 from the field.
It was 54-37 after three quarters and Evanston trailed 60-40 before closing strong against the Bulldog reserves.
“We came out to play tonight,” said Taylor, a high-flying forward who thrilled the nice-sized crowd with an alley-oop dunk. “We’re tired of losing and back to playing Bulldog basketball.”
Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw knows his team is much better when it has a chance to prepare for an opponent — such as this week.
“We’re a team that really needs preparation,” the coach said. “And we were able to add plays this week. Jordan Johnson had 10 assists for us, which is huge. When we share the ball, everybody gets involved and it’s a more fun way to play.”
For Evanston, sophomore center Elijah Henry had 21 points. Nine other players combined to score the other 32 points.
“This is the second game in a row we’ve given up a high field-goal percentage,” said Evanston coach Mike Ellis, whose team let Maine South make 21-of-29 shots last week and Waukegan make 24-of-44 on Friday. “We need to do a better job of being on shots and keeping people out of the lane.
“Elijah (6-4) was a bright spot tonight. He played a solid game for us.”
For the game, Evanston was 19-of-50 from the field.
For Waukegan, Johnson, the team’s point guard, was 5-of-5 from the field, Taylor was 8-of-14, and Fort was 6-of-9.
