Boys Basketball: Lake Zurich’s Pitcher eyeing a top-seven seed

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Zion-Benton's Niko Paaloalo (left) and Lake Zurich's Ryan Roach fight for a loose ball during Friday's action. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:20AM

Lake Zurich boys basketball coach Billy Pitcher was asked where he felt his team deserved to be seeded when the IHSA Class 4A playoffs begin in March. 

It was a question he had to give some significant thought to, especially since coming into the week, 15 of the 21 teams who will be in the Bears’ sectional sported winning records. 

“Boy, it’s so tough to say, because there’s such a logjam in talent from the fourth to the 12th or 13th seed,” Pitcher said. “I’m hoping we’re a top-seven seed, especially with some of the wins we’ve had.” 

Among those wins are three victories over Zion-Benton, and triumphs against Stevenson and Libertyville. LZ also knocked off Barrington — which will also be in its sectional — in overtime two days before Christmas. 

“Barrington’s a great example … I mean, it’s not easy to decide where to seed some of these teams,” Pitcher said. “They’ve got the same amount of wins as us, but fewer losses. But then you have to factor in that we beat them in a head-to-head matchup. It’s pretty much the same situation with us and Stevenson, too.” 

The seeding process is determined after the coaches vote on where they feel each team belongs, prior to the start of the postseason. Pitcher shared some insight on how he went about casting his ballot. 

“Two of the biggest things I look at when making my decision on where I think a team should be seeded are the head-to-head matchups I mentioned, and I also take a close look at strength of schedule,” he said. “As an example, the North Suburban Conference is 14-1 against teams in the Mid-Suburban League. Many of those are teams who will be in our sectional. So I voted for a lot of the North Suburban teams to be seeded higher than those with similar records in the Mid-Suburban. There are those who may not feel that’s right, but I think it’s extremely fair to the kids because it validates all the hard work they put in during the regular season.”

The IHSA is expected to announce the seedings on Thursday afternoon.  

Pitcher, who has a decade of experience coaching at the high school level, is in his second season leading the Bears. After LZ posted a 7-20 overall mark a year ago, when he took over, Pitcher has helped his players grow and develop into one of Lake County’s more dangerous teams.  

Following Friday’s 54-46 win over Zion-Benton, LZ stood four games over .500, its high-water mark in 2011-12. 

The Bears (14-11, 4-5), however, fell to North Chicago on Monday. Still, they have won six of their last nine games. They are was 12-6 in their previous 18 outings. 

“It’s been real special to watch these kids grow,” Pitcher said. “They’ve responded so well to adversity — just about every chance they’ve had. That’s been the biggest difference between now and last season. Our guys make plays when they need to in close games. We didn’t have that last year. No one could seem to make a big play or a big shot when they needed to. That’s all changed.” 

Pitcher was then asked who he felt the team’s most valuable players have been thus far. 

“Boy, that’s though because so many of our guys have been playing so well,” Pitcher said. “I think Mirko Grcic (18 points per game, 10 rebounds per game), Jeff O’Brien (9.0 scoring average) and Doug Murphy (8.0), who are three of our seniors, immediately come to mind. And (junior) Ryan Roach has been huge lately. He’s stepped his game up a lot. Then, Brenden Seeger, — he’s really been a great defensive player for us. I think that’s the thing I like most about this group. We have so many interchangeable parts in our lineup and on our bench. I can plug just about anyone in anywhere during the game, and you don’t notice the slightest difference.”   

Freshman Mike Travlos, who’s had several double-digit scoring efforts himself since being called up earlier this season, has been another shining example of the Bears’ depth. However, Travlos suffered a huge bruise in his upper thigh against Libertyville on Jan. 27. It was diagnosed as a hematoma, and had to be drained. He hasn’t played since. 

The good news for LZ is, Pitcher is optimistic he will return to action sometime soon, possibly in time for the scheduled game against Stevenson on Wednesday. If not, he should be ready to go when the Bears face defending IHSA Class 4A runner-up Warren on Valentine’s Day.

Recap: Roach scored 16 points, and Lake Zurich went on an 11-2 run in the fourth quarter, as the Bears knock off short-handed Zion-Benton 54-46 in North Suburban Lake action on Friday.

The Zee-Bees (8-11 overall, 2-7 conference) played without sophomore standout Milik Yarbrough, who was on the bench in street clothes.

Zion-Benton coach Don Kloth had no comment on why Yarbrough didn’t play.

Lake Zurich led 22-20 at halftime, and it was 35-32 for the Bears (14-10, 4-5) after three quarters.

At the start of the final period, Lake Zurich went on its big run to take command. The Zee-Bees pulled within 46-42 with 1:51 left, but the Bears hit their free throws down the stretch to secure the win.

It was the third time this season that Lake Zurich beat Zion-Benton, with all three games being competitive.

Roach scored a big chunk of his points with the three-ball. He made four shots from beyond the arc.

Grcic of the Bears finished with 11 points and six assists. Seeger came off the bench to score 10 points on two three-pointers.

“We had a balanced attack and showed our depth,” noted Pitcher. “Zion did a great job pressuring the ball and keeping us out of the lane. Fortunately, we were able to knock down perimeter shots.”

It was LZ’s first road conference win in four seasons.

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Bears dropped a 60-49 decision to North Chicago.

The Warhawks (17-3) won on a night when senior star Aaron Simpson (game-high 22 points) picked up three charging fouls in the first 11 minutes, and always-active coach Gerald Coleman had to sit on his chair after getting T’d up in the second quarter.

Filling the Warhawk hole in the second half was senior forward Marzhon Bryant, who had all 16 of his points after the break.

“Coach got my ear a little bit (at halftime). That energized me,” said Bryant. “When he tells us we’re not helping the team, it’s our job to prove him wrong.

“When the ball is not going in, I just have to keep my head and play the game the way I know how to play it.”

Simpson actually scored 12 points in the second quarter after getting his third charging foul as North Chicago led 27-23 at intermission.

“When they didn’t take him out, we told the kids he’d come down and start shooting threes. He came down and hit two threes in a row. That’s just a great player,” said Pitcher. “That step-back three was like the shot Kemba Walker hit last year for UConn (to win the Big East Conference tourney).”

Lake Zurich got 13 points from Mirko Grcic, and 11 from Doug Murphy, who drew five charging fouls.