Messer's Huskies have the edge

Must be that time of year.

Somehow, Steve Messer-coached teams get on a roll as the season winds down and the playoffs gear up. His Hersey Huskies continued building toward that in a 39-38 Mid-Suburban East win Friday night at Elk Grove.

Of course, his teams did just that many times when he coached at Elk Grove. Now, in his second year at Hersey, he watched as his team eked its way to 3-4 division mark and 7-11 overall.

"We showed teamwork. We have kids who filled the gaps," he said after going to his bench early and often and getting 30 of his 39 points there. Sophomore guard Connor Miklasz gave his team a lift with his perimeter shooting (12 points) and senior swingman Demitriy Velikov sealed the win, snapping a 38-all tie with a free throw in the final minute that brought a rare calm to what was a frantic finish.

As the game seesawed back and forth, Velikov's 3 gave Hersey a 38-35 lead, but Donny Duschinsky (9 points) tied it with a traditional 3-point play moments later.

Velikov's subsequent free throw on the front end of a 1-and-1 was the game's last point. He was all smiles, admitting he definitely wants the ball in the clutch but he's proud to be part of a solid team effort the Huskies have been delivering of late. He hopes it can continue.

"These couple of games (coming up), we can step up as a team. We have to play good defense," Velikov said.

Hersey's bench brigade included key efforts from Kyle Miklasz, Jordan Mertes and Brian Fabrizius, who finally cooled off fellow junior Scott Siwicki (12 points). The 6-foot-6 junior, in his most-extended playing time, had rescued Elk Grove (1-6, 6-14) with a key pair of 3-pointers and great defense in both man-to-man and on top of a sticky match-up zone. The teams combined for just 27 second-half points.

Grenadiers coach Anthony Furman was proud of his troops, who stepped up with Matt Martinski injured.

"Donny (Duschinsky) stepped up. Siwicki stepped in and did some good things," said the second-year head man whose team is showing it's not satisfied with just coming close.

"The guys sold out," he said of the effort, but, "we've got to rebound better."

Messer also isn't yet satisfied.

"We've been looking to see who's getting it done," he said. "We have more talent than our record. We just haven't turned the corner yet."

And the playoffs haven't begun yet either.