Buffalo Grove 59, Wheeling 48

At this point in the basketball season, sometimes you just have to forget about style and grace.

Because a conference win, no matter how it looks, is a beautiful thing. Especially when Buffalo Grove found out that its 59-48 victory on Friday against Wheeling coupled with Prospect's 62-60 OT win against Hersey put it in sole possession of the Mid-Suburban East lead.

"To beat (Wheeling), we feel good about that," said BG coach Ryan O'Connor. "We really respect them, they've got some nice athletes, good players."

BG (15-4, 6-1) has some pretty good ones, too, as it was flying around the court in the first quarter, using a zone trap press to stifle the Wildcats (9-10, 1-6).

"This is the first zone press that we've ever had this year," said Bison senior Mike Ricciardi, who scored 6 of his 11 points in a 10-0 first-quarter run. "We've been running (the press) a lot lately, especially when we're practicing against the sophomores. We tried it today and I guess it worked really well."

That's an understatement. Wheeling had more turnovers (10) than points (9) in the first quarter and coughed it up nearly as many times (28) as it took shots (34).

"There's no doubt about it, their pressure and traps really hurt us," said Wheeling coach Lou Wool. "No secret, turnovers killed us today."

But Wheeling wasn't run out of BG's gym. Trailing by as many as 13 points in the first quarter, and 11 in the third, the Wildcats clawed back each time. After BG senior Paul Timko (11 points) nailed a 3 to negate the one Wheeling junior James Kurtz (14 points) banked in at the end of the first quarter, a runner from senior Chris McClellan sparked a 10-0 Wildcats' spurt.

"Finally in the second quarter we executed their press well," said the Lewis University recruit, who scored 5 of his 13 in the run. "Big guys were flashing, they were getting open, we were getting easy baskets."

Kurtz and senior Alex Chery (14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks) each converted layups as the Wildcats kept close to open the third. But the BG press led to more Wheeling difficulties (6 turnovers) in the quarter.

Ricciardi was having his own difficulties, although he somehow managed to sink 3-of-4 from the foul line in the third with either one or both of his contacts missing.

"One fell out, then the other fell out -- it was rough," he laughed.

There was nothing funny about the number of Wildcats turnovers (12) in the second half, although their efficient field goal shooting (8-of-15) kept them in the game. A free throw by Chery and a pair from McClellan pulled Wheeling within 45-43 with 5:57 left -- the closest the Wildcats had been since 4-2.

But senior Federico Iudica (11 points) made two layups and senior Brian DeSimone (team-high 14 points) made a bucket during an 8-1 run that pushed the Bison toward their fourth win in five tries since losing their last two at the Elgin Holiday Tournament.

"We just got back to the basics, we started running a little more, we got that press in," DeSimone said. "We're just getting easier buckets."

Hoffman 51, Fremd 38: When two teams enter a gym with their divisional destinies in their own hands, as the expression goes, only one can leave with it still in control.

That team Friday night was Hoffman Estates after its 51-38 MSL West win Friday.

At 5-2 in the division (12-9 overall), the Hawks know it won't be easy with three division games left. But at times they made it look that way against gutty but out-manned Fremd (8-10, 4-3).

The Hawks broke the game open with a second-quarter run and then put it away with a fourth-quarter surge after Fremd cut an 11-point lead to 5 on guard Dan Bruno's 3-point play on a fearless drive.

Hawks junior point guard Luke Mead responded with the game's most-dazzling play. His behind-the-head, virtual no-look pass to forward Ben Collins cutting backdoor to the basket against Fremd's scrambling, double-teaming defense for a layup that started a game-clinching 8-2 run.

"Luke did a nice job passing," said coach Bill Wandro.

He wasn't too shabby shooting, either. Mead finished 6-of-9 from the floor for a game-high 14 points.

"I saw (Collins). I knew they were trapping," Mead explained of the nifty assist. "I knew Ben was going to cut backside."

Hoffman also got nice efforts from more unsung players, such as Tom Dombrowski, who had 11 points as the result of consistently moving well without the ball. Reserves Steve Anderson (8 points) and Kemill Long (7 points with two 3s) made valuable contributions.

"I'm really, really pleased with the progress of Steve Anderson and Kemill Long," Wandro said.

Short-handed Fremd, playing without starting guard Jim Mundt, a usual double-digit scorer, was paced by Bruno (9 points). Center Will Reising had 8 points and Chris Klimek added 6 points.

"They've gotten better every time we've seen them," said Wandro. "For the youth they have, they're a scary group."

-- Howard Schlossberg

Waubonsie 64, Barrington 47: A 12-0 run helped Barrington (6-13) cut into a 22-6 first-quarter deficit but host Waubonsie Valley (18-3) regrouped for the nonconference victory.

Mack Darrow had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Chris Howard scored 11 second-half points for Barrington.

"We adjusted to their speed some in the second quarter and our kids played with a lot of poise and composure," said Barrington coach Marty Dello. "It's a huge step in the right direction."

-- Stan Goff

Highland Park 43, Maine W. 37: Jimmy Orlowski had 18 points for Maine West (4-16, 0-7) in the loss to Central Suburban North leader Highland Park (16-2, 7-0).

Morton 69, Leyden 43: Deron Guyton and Alex Regalado had 13 points each for Leyden (4-13, 1-6) as West Suburban Gold leader Morton (15-3, 7-0) took control late in the first half.

Marist 54, St. Viator 50: The Lions (8-10, 2-6) lost the East Suburban Catholic Conference road game in Chicago.