Bench lifts Fremd

Fremd has shown plenty of potential in the first week of the boys basketball season.

The Vikings have a lethal inside-outside game, an attacking defense and on Saturday at the Coaches Vs. Cancer Thanksgiving Tournament in Crystal Lake, they featured a few spare parts.

All-tourney pick Zach Monaghan scored a game-high 28 points in pacing Fremd to a 75-60 victory over host Crystal Lake Central.

But junior Jack Konopka (9 points) and senior Charlie Rosenberg (6 points) came off the bench in helping Fremd to a 3-0 start.

"We've had contributions from many different players," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski of the Vikings attack. "It was nice to see those two step up tonight and we will have to continue to do that."

All-tourney pick Chris Klimek scored 10 of his 18 points in the opening quarter in leading Fremd to a 19-17 lead.

But with Klimek and starting forward Nick Pflederer hampered by foul trouble, the Vikings didn't miss a beat with 6-foot-4 Konopka and the 6-5 Rosenberg.

"We're really deep, and they both came up big tonight," said Monaghan. "We depend on our defense and then look to get it inside to those big guys."

Monaghan's third 3-pointer increased the Vikings' lead to 33-25 with 2:41 remaining in the second quarter.

But Mike Fior (23 points), who was a perfect 11-for-11 from the line, converted 4 free throws in the final minute of the first half to narrow the Tigers' deficit to 35-31 at halftime.

Crystal Lake Central (1-2) then cut the margin to 2 points on its first possession of the second half on a pair of free throws by Matt Gleixner

Klimek answered with a basket inside and Monaghan followed with a basket off a turnover. Fremd entered the final quarter with a 52-46 advantage.

The Vikings didn't let up in the fourth with Rosenberg scoring on a drive to increase the lead to 60-50 with 5:42 remaining.

A Quinn Williams' 3-pointer increased the Fremd advantage to 67-53 with 3:19 left.

"With the size that we have it draws a lot of attention inside," added Monaghan, "That gives us a lot of wide open shot outside. We just have to continue to bring it every night."

So far the Vikings have done that.