This game took a distinct turn, when Justin McMahon got his three-ball rolling.
The Lake Forest senior point guard lit it up early in the fourth quarter, when he nailed successive three-pointers on three straight possessions to lift the Scouts to a 42-35 victory over host St. Viator on Dec. 2.
Zero.
That’s the other impressive number McMahon came up with in this nonconference contest. Despite handling the ball against tough pressure, No. 11 finished the game with zero turnovers.
“He’s doing a good job of playing under control,” said LF head coach Phil LaScala. “And he was up against a lot of pressure.”
In this post-Lorenzo Edwards Era (now at Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia), which followed the post-Evan Boudreaux Era (now at Dartmouth), the 6-foot McMahon has become The Man for the Scouts (2-3). He opened the season with a 20-point outburst against U High in the New Trier-Loyola Thanksgiving Tournament on Nov. 21. He went on to earn all-tourney honors.
“Justin is our main guy this year,” LaScala said.
After being limited to only two points in the first half, McMahon finished with a game-high 16 points to go along with four rebounds.
“A lot of guys stepped up tonight,” said McMahon, who scored 13 straight points for his team in the second half. “It was a great team win for us. It’s especially big as we head into conference play.”
Other Scouts also had big moments.
For instance, senior guard Connor Hanekamp, who finished with seven points, sealed the win by hitting a pair of free throws with 51 seconds left to put LF ahead by five points, 40-35.
Hanekamp also came up with two important assists in that fourth frame, driving and then dishing the ball to the hot hand: McMahon.
McMahon’s other three-pointer was set up by a pass from Reed Thomas (5 points, 5 rebounds).
Brian Stickler also pulled down five rebounds to go along with four points and two blocks.
Junior Mead Payne had some nice minutes. The 6-6 junior came off the bench and produced four points and three rebounds.
“He’s earning minutes,” said LaScala. “He’s playing hard in practice.”
Game Rating: B-
Referee Rating: B
Lake Forest Game Balls: Justin McMahon (point guard), Connor Hanekamp (two guard)
St. Viator Game Ball: Addison Lubert (center)
Player of the Game: McMahon
Lake Forest Stat Leaders: McMahon (16 points, 3 3-pointers, 4 rebounds), Hanekamp (7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Reed Thomas (5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists), Brian Stickler (4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks), Mead Payne (4 points, 3 rebounds)
St. Viator Stat Leader: Lubert (13 points)
Lake Forest Unsung Hero: Payne
Notables: It appears, at the moment, that Lake Forest has St. Viator’s number. On Nov. 4, the Scouts’ football team eliminated St. Viator from the state playoffs. Many football players were watching this basketball game from the stands, including St. Viator’s Cole Kmet (Notre Dame recruit) and LF’s Charlie Reinkemeyer, Andrew Athenson and Jon Day. … Reed Thomas, a star wide receiver for the Scouts in the fall, is finding his basketball legs. “He did some nice things tonight. He got that big rebound and pass to Justin (McMahon). He had a nice drive to start the game. He’s going to be fine,” said LF head coach Phil LaScala.