Cook Co. wrap: Fremd 66, Prospect 63 (OT)
Fremd missed a potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation.
But senior Danny Bruno delivered in overtime, dropping a 3-pointer with three seconds left to lift Fremd to a 66-63 Mid-Suburban League boys basketball crossover win Tuesday night over East co-champ Prospect in Palatine.
"Execution was good at the end of regulation and at the end of overtime," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski after his team's highest point total of the season. "We did a nice job of running our stuff and getting a look."
Regulation ended with both teams knotted at 58-58, but senior Jim Mundt (13 points) scored off the opening tip and converted the ensuing free throw. Sophomore Chris Klimek followed with a basket for a 5-point lead.
Prospect (16-10) answered with a 3 by senior Jeff Heiden (14 points) and a pair of free throws by junior Kevin Reed (12 points, 9 rebounds).
The Vikings received the ball with 1:29 left and proceeded to whittle the clock down before junior Alex Weis found Bruno alone on the right side for the winner.
"It felt great," said Bruno, "I knew I was going to make it we practice that shot all the time."
A Jason Leblebijian (14 points) basket with 4:37 left in the second quarter gave Prospect an 11-point lead. Klimek scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Vikings comeback.
Meadows 48, Barrington 45: Recent fortunes had both teams figuring Daniel Evers' 3 would force overtime Tuesday night.
But it rimmed out with a second left and Rolling Meadows (12-14) snapped a 7-game losing streak with a 48-45 MSL crossover win at Barrington (8-19).
"With our season going the way it has I thought it was going in," said Meadows senior Kyle Gaedele after scoring a game-high 18 points. "(The streak) brought our confidence down a little bit, but this will hopefully bring it up for Monday against Round Lake (regional opener at Palatine)."
Gaedele scored 8 points in the final eight minutes and sophomore Richie Kemph (10 points) hit 4 free throws in the final 21 seconds. Kemph and Ted Metzger each hit two of Meadows' eight 3s.
Barrington was looking for its third straight win and rallied from deficits of 26-14 and 38-28 as senior Charlie Douglas scored 10 of his 12 points in the fourth. Sophomore Kyle O'Keefe got 6 of his 9 points in the final 4:18.
"Our last 4 games we've played well," said Broncos coach Marty Dello. "Our kids are smiling and walking out the door with one thing on their mind and that's Grant on Monday (at the Conant regional)."
-- Marty Maciaszek
Hoffman 56, Wheeling 50: Who would have thought Hoffman Estates could win with its starters combining for only 19 points and leading scorer Luke Mead only getting 2 points?
Not that Mead had a bad game Tuesday by any means, but junior Kemill Long (24 points) came off the bench to bail out the Hawks (15-12) in a 56-50 MSL crossover win over visiting Wheeling.
Long's four 3s without a miss in the first half enabled the Hawks to lead at the break. His 6 consecutive free throws in the fourth quarter enabled them to maintain it.
Senior Steve Anderson added 11 points off the bench.
"The thing about Kemill is he's a good shooter. He finally felt comfortable enough," said Hoffman coach Bill Wandro.
"Coach expected that out of the bench tonight," said a beaming Long.
Chris McClellan had 17 points and three 3s to lead Wheeling (13-12).
"We fought hard and we competed," said Wheeling coach Lou Wool, whose team is 7-4 in 2008. "We're playing well. We're feeling good about our chances."
-- Howard Schlossberg
Schaumburg 63, Hersey 42: Schaumburg junior Cully Payne may lead the team in scoring, but he isn't the only option. Senior Brandon Bolger scored a career-high 30 points Tuesday in a 63-42 MSL crossover win over visiting Hersey.
"Me and (Payne) usually take turns (scoring)," said Bolger, who had 28 points Saturday. "He was out (most of the first half with foul trouble) so I stepped up."
Hersey (14-12) trailed 21-19 at halftime. But Bolger scored 20 points in the second half as his team outscored the Huskies 41-23.
Hersey ends its regular season on a four-game losing streak, but Dayton-bound senior Luke Fabrizius (15 points, 5 blocks) sees hope in the postseason.
"I think we're OK right now," he said. "We've definitely been struggling and people are getting frustrated but we're hanging in there. We know that the playoffs are a completely new season."
Schaumburg (16-9) got contributions from Blake Mueller (7 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals), Dan Slowik (8 points, 3 steals), Perrish Bell (6 points) and Mick Trimarco (5 points).
-- Joe Esse
Palatine 60, Elk Grove 51: Host Palatine used its size to its advantage in a 60-51 MSL crossover win over Elk Grove.
Post players Ronnie Lampen (team-high 17 points) and Monroe Brooks (10 points) got all of their points either under the basket or from the foul line. Lampen and Brooks each grabbed 3 offensive rebounds that turned into 12 points.
And when the Grens (4-23) were concentrating on the big guys, Matt Rossi (14 points) was slashing to the basket or John Castellano (10) was hitting from the outside.
Palatine broke open a 38-38 tie with a 13-2 burst the next 4:15 to take a 51-40 lead with 7:21 left in the game.
"We thought we could get the ball inside, and the kids did a nice job looking inside," said Palatine coach Ed Molitor. "Ronnie was very active. It's really the way he's capable of playing."
"We need to get the first rebound," said Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman. "It takes all five guys."
The Grens' Billy Hubly led all scorers with 18 points. Palatine played most of the game without point guard Gerald Hutton, who turned his ankle in the first quarter. The Pirates (10-15) hope he and Josh Rustman will be back for Monday's regional opener against Lake Zurich.
-- Larry Weindruch