Hoffman progresses at Streamwood's expense

Hoffman Estates hopes it took a right turn Tuesday night as it left behind two consecutive losses.

The Hawks turned the 18 turnovers they forced into 26 points and never trailed in a 53-39 nonconference boys basketball victory at Streamwood.

"We emphasized that in practice," said Hoffman senior guard Jimmy Fabbrini, who hit a career-high 14 points for the third time on 6-for-9 shooting. "The last couple of games we hadn't been doing that. We knew what we had to do and we executed tonight."

Especially in the first half by the Hoffman (9-6) senior guard trio of Fabbrini, Kevin Tiongson (15 points) and Joe Valadez. Streamwood (5-11) had 1 fewer turnover than points as it trailed 29-13 at intermission.

"The struggle for us the last couple of games is we'd get turnovers and we hadn't been turning them into points," said Hoffman coach Bill Wandro of losses to Hersey and Schaumburg. "We forced the type of turnovers that gave us transition."

Hoffman scored 19 first-half points off miscues. Streamwood shot just 6-for-23 from the field and didn't attempt a free throw the first 16 minutes.

"We threw some crazy shots up - our shot selection wasn't very good," said Streamwood coach Tim Jones. "They didn't break down defensively whatsoever and you'd like to mirror their defense against yours.

"We did a little better job (in the second half) but you can't get behind like that."

Streamwood did cut its turnovers in half after the break and hit 12 of 21 shots as Derrick King and Marcus Lewis finished with 15 points apiece.

But the Sabres could never get closer than 45-35 on King's layup with 3:34 left and 47-37 at 1:07 on Jerrold Offiana's rebound basket.

In between the Hawks held the ball for 2:06 before Fabbrini hit a baseline drive.

"I've been staying after practice and I did feel like I was in rhythm tonight," Fabbrini said. "It started with defense. That's how I get in rhythm."

Senior Brandon Fischer also had a big night off the bench with 9 points on 4-for-5 shooting. Hoffman also committed only 2 of its 13 turnovers in the fourth quarter and hit all 15 of its free throws after going 3-for-16 in last Tuesday's loss to Hersey.

"Our kids responded well to do what they needed to do to close it out," said Wandro, whose team hosts Mid-Suburban West leader Fremd on Saturday night.