If there was such a thing as getting too comfortable in basketball competition, the Lions definitely slipped into those trappings Monday night at home in their 72-61 victory at the Lion’s Den against Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep.
A game that early on seemed like it would be a Leo runaway crept late into a closer finish in the Catholic League White contest.
ICCP (14-10; 3-4) were no match for the Lions early on. Leo was able to dominate, looking very much like the team that cracked the Chicago Sun-Times Super 25 area rankings for the first time in Monday’s edition. The 23rd ranked Lions, winners of seven straight, are now 18-4 overall and 6-0 in league play.
ICCP started the game in a drop-back 2-3 zone. After an empty first possession, the Lions were able to beat the zone effortlessly throughout the first period, going on a 21-3 run to close out the first quarter with a 29-8 lead, only missing one shot in the period. The early domination would carry the Lions to their eighth straight win.
Junior Jeremiah Echols was perfect in the first quarter with 8 of his 14 points coming in the period and leading the charge in the Lions’ early run.
Asa Harris was also a vital part of the Lions early domination with a team-oriented seven points, 13 assists and seven steals. The Lions were led in scoring by Karon Shavers, who tallied 20 points and added three assists and four steals.
After the first quarter, the Lions’ lackadaisical play invited a comeback response for ICCP, which took quick advantage. Employing a trap, ICCP effectively used the second quarter and cut the Lions lead down to 15.
Both teams played evenly in the third, with the Lions seemingly getting back on track. In the fourth quarter the Lions began collapsing and allowed ICCP to get within nine points, but never get closer.
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