Fremd likes balancing act in victory over Palatine

A big part of Fremd's success is it has options.

So, the Vikings aren't stuck for answers if Chris Klimek gets in foul trouble after a hot start or Zach Monaghan gets off to a slow start.

Seniors Quinn Williams and Charlie Rosenberg combined for 25 points and 19 rebounds as the Vikings (13-1, 4-0) kept their Mid-Suburban West boys basketball lead with a 52-39 victory Friday night at cross-town rival Palatine (7-10, 2-2).

"When Chris or Zach get in foul trouble or are injured," Rosenberg said, "I always feel like it's on me to pick up the slack."

Rosenberg had 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting, 12 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 2 assists.

Williams scored 11 of his game-high 14 points in the second half, Monaghan hit 4 of his last 8 shots to score 13 points and Klimek had 7 of his 9 points in the first quarter.

But also vital for the Vikings was Williams' defense on Palatine scoring leader and 3-point threat Tommy Galvan. Williams held the 11-point averager to a point with 5 of his 6 missed shots from the field from behind the arc.

"He really chased the kid all night and dogged him the whole game," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski.

"The plan was to deny him the ball the whole game and make other players on the team beat us," Williams said. "Once he didn't score or even shoot in the first quarter I was happy. I knew if I kept it up he wouldn't be a factor."

Palatine also had to overcome senior Mykyta Cheshko not dressed for disciplinary reasons, first-half foul trouble and shooting 26 percent from the field (16-for-61) and 2-for-15 behind the arc.

"We set the tone and have to let it be known we can play defense and turn around and score on you," the 6-foot-5 Rosenberg said of the Vikings' 4 blocked shots in the first 31/2 minutes.

"They've got 1 loss for a reason," said Palatine coach Eric Millstone. "They're big and strong and run their stuff and play with a lot of confidence.

"I thought our kids put their noses in there and battled them but they're just a veteran club playing with a lot of confidence right now."

Palatine got within 16-15 on a layup by Michael Orris (13 points, 5 rebounds) but Fremd went on a 13-2 tear which bridged halftime.

A rebound basket at the third-quarter buzzer by Nat Pearson (11 points, 15 rebounds) cut the Pirates' deficit to 33-27. But they couldn't get closer with 2 missed free throws and a turnover to start the fourth quarter.

Kyle Held had 8 points and 6 rebounds for Palatine before fouling out with 4:05 left.

"I thought we did a good job overall of recognizing what they were doing and trying to execute it," Widlowski said of attacking the Pirates' 2-3 zone the last three quarters.

"It was really competitive this time," Williams said of the energetic atmosphere. "If they would have beaten us they would have taken the conference lead and we want to keep first place just to ourselves."