Hoffman's long-range sharpshooting overcomes feisty Palatine

When one aspect of offense did not work for Hoffman Estates on Friday night in Palatine, another did.

But the Pirates, improving game by game, gave the Hawks a tough fight before succumbing 59-46 in the Mid-Suburban West boys basketball contest.

The Hawks (7-0, 3-0) utilized the 3-ball to their advantage, converting 9-of-21 shots from 3-point range.

"Everybody did little things that turned into big things," said Hawks coach Bill Wandro. "Chris Hall and Tom Dombrowski played great defense all night. Lance Vesper (8 rebounds) did his job. Kemill Long came off the bench to hit five 3-pointers, and Mead had a good third quarter."

The Pirates (1-7, 0-3) kept the game close with the help of Matt Rossi's 18 points.

The Pirates led 30-26 after a Rossi basket to start the third quarter.

But then the Hawks started firing - and connecting - from long range.

Mead, who went scoreless in the first half, connected twice for 3s that helped the Hawks forge a 32-32 tie.

Kyle Held's basket gave the Pirates their last lead at 34-32 with 5:53 left in the third quarter.

Kevin Tiongson (10 points) put the Hawks ahead for good at 4:54 with a 3. Mead (12 points, 6 assists) followed with a pair of buckets that increased the lead to 39-34, before Rossi scored to end the quarter at 42-38.

An 8-0 run to start the fourth quarter put the Hawks ahead 50-38.

"Palatine played us tough," Mead said. "In the second half, we were looking for ball reversals and looking for the open shot more. I'm not the scorer like last year. We have more players capable of scoring."

"We need Luke to manage the game instead of being the game this year," Wandro said. "While his average is down, his assists are up. What matter most is that we are 7-0."