Prospect 66, Elk Grove 58
It's amazing how much can change in one year.
Low expectations were hung on a boys basketball program that entered the year with five straight losing seasons.
But with Friday's 66-58 Mid-Suburban East win at Elk Grove, the Knights started a new era by clinching a winning record and keeping pace with Buffalo Grove for the division lead.
"We're very excited," said Prospect senior Jeff Heiden (22 points, 3 assists, 2 steals). "We're pumped for it, but we know that (Rolling) Meadows is going to be a tough game.
"They're going to come in and be ready for us. So we have to be on top of our game if we want to get the title."
Prospect (14-9, 7-2) hosts the Mustangs next Friday in the final division game of the season. A win would guarantee the Knights a share of the division, and they would represent the East in the MSL championship game if Hersey beats BG.
"In the preseason everybody (newspapers) … they all had us next to last," Knights first-year coach John Camardella said. "The seniors we have on this team, I was their freshman coach. So I looked at them when I got the job and said 'this is your last year. We have to make something of it.'
"Really from the first day of practice they bought into it."
Elk Grove shooting star Billy Hubly helped counter an 11-2 run by Prospect to open the game. Hubly had a career-high 30 points and scored 11 straight points as the Grenadiers (3-22, 0-9) whittled Prospect's lead to 14-13.
Elk Grove led for most of the second quarter behind Hubly and juniors Matt Martinski (13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks) and Tim Furlong (13 points).
Kevin Reed (18 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 5 blocks) had a career-high 16 rebounds for Prospect, which held a 29-13 rebounding edge and outscored the Grens 18-5 in the third quarter. Alex Toth had 9 points and 7 rebounds while Jason Leblebijian scored 8.
"They were always one of the toughest teams to play against because they had nothing to lose," Hubly said of previous Knights' teams. "Now they're playing hard and they have a good group of guys."
For a Prospect team not accustomed to playing meaningful conference games this late in the year, having to wait a week to have their fate decided won't be easy.
"What I really like is that we have the St. Viator game on Tuesday," Camardella said. "We're not going to be sitting around for a week. It's going to be Senior Night and it's really going to have implications for everything."