Winning continues under Walsh at Schaumburg

Palatine coach Eric Millstone said it best.

"If there's supposed to be a transition, no one told those guys," Millstone said after visiting Schaumburg gave new boys basketball coach Matt Walsh his first Mid-Suburban West victory, 50-37 on Friday. "Matt's done a great job."

The Saxons (5-1, 1-0) trailed just once, after Mykyta Cheshko's opening basket, outscoring the Pirates (2-3, 0-1) 18-6 in the first quarter.

Schaumburg led 25-16 at halftime and 39-28 after three quarters. Palatine was able to cut the lead to 7 points a couple of times in the second half, the latest at 41-34 after Jake Velinski drained a pair of free throws with 6:01 remaining.

"I'm happy with the defensive effort," Walsh said. "I believe we'll be the type of team that improves as the season goes on. We took a step ahead tonight."

Without a "go-to" guy on offense, the Saxons could present challenges to opponents. Declan Geraghty led the balanced attack with 14, followed by Josh Walker with 13, and Glenn Frost and Javon McDonald, each with 7. In all, seven of the nine Saxons who played scored.

"That's the attitude of this team," Walsh said. "They're ready when their number is called, and they're happy for each other when they play well. They know we're a team.

"On any given night, we have multiple players capable of having a big night," Walsh said. "When we move without the ball, we are hard to guard."

Millstone felt his team let Schaumburg dictate the game.

"I think we got pushed around on offense and let them do what they wanted on offense," Millstone said. "It's a credit to them.

"Defensively, they made it difficult for us," Millstone said. "They were in control at both ends.

"We're looking for a more consistent approach in execution and effort," Millstone said. "Anything we do this year will be through our consistency."

Nat Pearson and Cheshko each scored 9 points for Palatine, and Tommy Galvan added 6 on a pair of 3-pointers.