Schaumburg set for third shot at Fremd

This season could best be described as challenging for Schaumburg.

But the 13th-seeded Saxons still have hopes of providing a big challenge for one of the best teams in the Waukegan Class 4A boys basketball sectional field.

Their 54-35 win over No. 19 Grant (9-17) in Monday's Schaumburg regional quarterfinal put the hosts into today's 7:30 p.m. semifinal against No. 3 Fremd (24-1). The Mid-Suburban League champions won their regular-season meetings by 10 and 11 points but both games were close into the fourth quarter.

"If we play the way we're capable of we can give them a run for the money," said Schaumburg senior guard Declan Geraghty, who had 9 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. "We have confidence but we also know we have to play our best game to beat them. We're ready."

Junior Javon McDonald scored all 10 of his points in the first 9:35 as the Saxons took a 19-7 lead. Junior Kurt Kempema also scored 10 points and had 6 rebounds.

But having only a 34-32 rebound advantage is a concern against the taller Vikings.

"That will be a key again," said Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh. "We want to play the best and Fremd has proven to be the best team in our area all year. We're excited to have a shot."

Grant junior Shane Richardson had a game-high 19 points on 6-for-17 shooting and 9 rebounds. The rest of the team was just 6-for-24 from the field and 21 turnovers resulted in 25 points for Schaumburg.

"We missed a lot of easy ones early and that hurt us," said Grant coach Wayne Bosworth. "If we hit some of the early two-footers we just blew, it might have been a totally different mindset for who knows how long.

"We couldn't handle their defensive pressure. From scouting Schaumburg the biggest concern was their defense."

Schaumburg hopes it can handle the heat if it is in striking distance late again with Fremd. It had a 1-point lead going into the fourth quarter the first time and trailed by 2 points late in the third in the second meeting.

"Our execution in the fourth quarter was pretty bad and their execution was pretty good," Geraghty said.

"They're a veteran, experienced team that knows how to win," Walsh said. "We have an exciting challenge (tonight)."