Conant claims share of third straight West title

Seniors Eric Madeck and Cameron Leavitt led Conant to a 69-41 victory Friday that gave the host Cougars a one-third share of their third straight Mid-Suburban West boys basketball title.

Madeck gave the Senior Night crowd his best offensive output of the season, 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting along with 7 rebounds. Leavitt (15 points) was 7-of-14 from the field, pulled down 12 rebounds and added 7 assists.

"Eric and Cameron were huge sparks for us at both ends," Conant coach Tom McCormack said.

Finishing the regular season with a flourish and gaining a share of the title it had won the last two seasons was on Madeck's mind.

"It was one of our goals," Madeck said. "We started the conference slowly, but we came back strong and got a share."

The Cougars (17-7, 7-3) led 37-30 at halftime, but they held Barrington (5-20, 3-7) to just 11 second-half points, 8 from Mack Darrow (18 points).

"In the third quarter, they got a little more physical and got more offensive rebounds," said Barrington coach Marty Dello. "That was the difference in the game."

The Broncos had turned a 24-9 first quarter deficit into a close game, thanks to a 14-point outburst by junior Kyle O'Keefe. But Darrow was the only Bronco to score in the third quarter. Conant outscored Barrington 17-3 in the final eight minutes.

Taylor Peterson contributed 11 rebounds and 8 points for Conant.