Paul helps Warren stun Zee-Bees

Warren's Brandon Paul is all smiles after his team scores in the second half against Zion-Benton.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)

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A year ago, Warren’s Brandon Paul couldn’t divert the attention thrown his way. He was the Illini recruit. He was one who filled the box score in every category. He was the best player on an average Blue Devils team.

On Wednesday, Paul finally shed that spotlight, and his teammates stepped into it

With an all-around effort, Warren (3-1) pulled off the season’s first major upset, knocking off No. 3 Zion-Benton 89-84 in the North Suburban matchup in Gurnee.

Paul did his usual thing, scoring a team-high 27 points. But the story behind Warren’s victory was David Duncan’s five 3-pointers and career-high 21 points, James Poliquin’s 15 points and 11 rebounds and Jake Anderson’s 15 points.

“This is a huge win,” Duncan said. “Zion’s a really good team. In order to beat them, we all had to step up.”

Duncan was the Robin to Paul’s Batman. When Paul picked his second foul with 3:15 left in the second quarter and went to the bench, it was Duncan who emerged in his place. Duncan scored eight points, including two 3s, over the quarter’s final minutes and helped Warren into the locker room with a 41-36 lead. In the third quarter, he continued his hot hand and sank two more 3s.

“Whenever he shoots it, I think it’s going in,” Paul said.

In the final eight minutes, Poliquin and Anderson did their part to secure the win. It was Anderson who tied the game at 65 with two free throws, and it was Poliquin who gave the Blue Devils the lead with two more free throws. From there, Warren never lost that advantage. Anderson had 13 points in the fourth quarter, and Anderson had seven.

Zion-Benton’s Lenzelle Smith, an Ohio State recruit, nearly did a find a way to break Warren’s heart. On his way to 17 fourth-quarter points and five three-pointers, Smith hit three consecutive threes in the final two minutes to pull Zion-Benton (5-1) within two baskets. Warren hit its free throws late to ice the win, but no one could blame Smith.

He finished with a game-high 39 points, including seven 3s, seven rebounds and three steals.

“He’s a great player,” Paul said. “He showed why he’s one of the best, if not the best player in his class.”

Ronald Steward chipped in with 20 points for the Zee-Bees.

The most significant stat for Warren coach Chuck Ramsey was his team was only outrebounded 30-29. Before the game, he thought if his team kept it close on the boards, it would have a chance.

“That’s the single most important stat,” said Ramsey afterward.