Fremd's early flurry helps bury Schaumburg
Friday was the 50th anniversary of perhaps the worst snowstorm in the area's history, when some 23 inches of snow fell in 24 hours.
For Fremd's Mid-Suburban West-leading boys basketball team, Friday was just another chance to create stormy conditions for their opponents.
Using a 10-0 run over the first four minutes of the second quarter, the Vikings moved their record to 19-0 with a 68-46 win at Schaumburg on Friday evening.
The win also moved Fremd (7-0 in the MSL West) to 1 win from securing the division's berth in the MSL championship game Feb. 22.
"It was an all-around effort from our team that got us the win tonight," Fremd coach Bob Widlowski said. "We've talked about how from here on out we'll be getting everyone's best effort and how crucial it is for us to remain focused."
That Fremd focus was responsible for the decisive run that effectively settled things. After a basket by Schaumburg sophomore guard Michael Hughes pulled the hosts within 19-13 at the 6:41 mark of period 2, the Vikings onslaught commenced with a Kyle Sliwa 3-point play, followed by 4 of fellow senior guard Luke Schoffstall's game-high 18 points.
After a Brian Dompke putback, Schoffstall's steal, drive and layup gave the visitors a 29-13 edge with 4:33 remaining in the period.
Schaumburg (8-12, 3-4) got no closer than 13 at the start of the fourth quarter, as senior guard Aaron Kline connected from the foul line for 2 of his team-high 15 points.
In describing the keys to his team's success this season, Widlowski lists leadership as one of its major attributes.
"Our seniors have done a tremendous job of keeping our team focused," Widlowski said. "Tonight you saw people like (Ryan) Martin (11 points), Dompke and (Shaan) Patel working on both ends of the floor. It's effort like that which translates to our younger guys, setting a positive tone."
Patel, a 6-4 senior who added 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks to his 11-point effort, credits keeping the same daily routine with helping keep the team focused - including being prepared for Saturday's nonconference opponent, Grant.
"We learn to treat every opponent the same way," Patel said. "We'll take a look at the scouting report and get ourselves mentally ready for that team and that particular time and place where we have to play."
For Schaumburg, which travels to Palatine next Friday, second-year coach Wade Heisler says developing that same consistency is a goal for his club.
"I think we came out a step slow tonight," Heisler said. "To do that against one of the top teams is a recipe for disaster. I did like some of the things we did this evening, but there are other things that we need to get better at."