Conant stays hot with defense

Conant's won its fifth consecutive boys basketball game Friday by doing what it does best, playing stingy defense.

After starting the Mid-Suburban West at 0-3, Conant (12-6, 4-3) has climbed into a tie for second place in the division with Schaumburg, beating the visiting Saxons 53-36 in Hoffman Estates.

This was the third game in a row that the Cougars have held an MSL opponent to fewer than 40 points and will lower their league-best defensive average of 47.4 points per game.

"The defensive effort was really solid, and one of the big reasons was Nate Rummel," said Conant coach Tom McCormack. "He does a lot for us. He keeps balls alive and makes hustle plays."

He also shrugged off a floor burn to his hand, suffered while diving for a loose ball, and scored 10 points, including crowd-pleasing dunk after returning to the game with his hand bandaged.

"They took us out of what we wanted to do offensively," Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh said. "Every time we clawed back into the game, (Christian) Sotos made plays. He was tremendous tonight."

Sotos led all scorers with 18 points, including four 3-pointers. When Schaumburg cut a 31-16 lead to 33-26 midway through the third quarter, it was Sotos whose 3s sandwiched around two baskets by Taylor Peterson helped put the Cougars back on track with a 10-1 run.

"I think we're getting there on defense," Sotos said. "The offense isn't quite where we want it to be."

"He saw the floor extremely well tonight," McCormack said. "He knew when to dish the ball and when to take it to the hole."

Conant held Schaumburg scoreless from the 1:50 mark in the first quarter until Johnny Kirk hit a 3 with 1:59 remaining in the half, after Conant scored 12 straight.

Walsh, coaching a visiting team for the first time at his alma mater, knows why his Saxons (10-8, 4-3) struggled.

"Tonight we played the way we practiced this week," Walsh said. "We're searching for some leadership and toughness."

Declan Geraghty scored 16 points for Schaumburg, playing without starters Glenn Frost and Kurt Kempema, both not in uniform for team rule violations.