Fremd's Klimek feels much better
A career night turned out to be a perfect prescription for Chris Klimek and Fremd.
The senior forward has battled sinus and respiratory infections the last week and a half. Coach Bob Widlowski wasn't even sure at noon Saturday if Klimek would play six hours later in the nonconference boys basketball game with visiting Jacobs.
The 6-foot-4 Klimek came off the bench to score a career-high 26 points as Fremd (7-0) pulled away in the final four minutes to a 57-47 victory over the Golden Eagles (0-6).
"I feel better now," Klimek said with a laugh after hitting 11-of-18 shots and grabbing 6 rebounds.
"He shot around a little bit (in the afternoon) and felt better," Widlowski said. "We gave him two minutes at the beginning to see how he felt and when we took him out, he said he felt OK.
"It was a pleasant surprise."
And one the Vikings needed considering they were without leading scorer Zach Monaghan (knee), who Widlowski hopes will be able to play Friday against Schaumburg.
Jacobs, which will get junior guard Mike Peterson back next week, didn't resemble a winless team as it raced to a 25-17 lead 1:08 before halftime. Junior Nick Hofman scored 15 of his 21 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
"It's deceiving because we played (three) great teams in Quincy (at Thanksgiving)," said Jacobs coach Jim Hinkle of his team's record. "There are a lot of teams in the state we can beat but we just haven't played them yet.
"We're getting better every game and (Fremd) is a great ballclub."
Fremd used a 13-point run which started in the last minute of the half to take the lead for good.
Chris Vainisi, who started for Klimek the last two games beat the halftime buzzer with a 3-pointer. Klimek also hit a 3 and 6-5 Charlie Rosenberg (14 points, 12 rebounds) capped the run with 2 free throws.
"Vainisi did a great job taking my spot," Klimek said. "His 3 swung the momentum."
And a defensive rotation of Klimek, Rosenberg and 6-3 Quinn Williams every two minutes slowed Hofman as he didn't score again until there was 5:25 left.
"At halftime our main goal was to stop No. 1 (Hofman) and I thought we did a great job on him," Klimek said.
"We were looking for somebody a little bigger to guard him," Widlowski said. "A lot of shots were contested but he was shooting over people in the first half."
Jacobs got within 42-41 with 4:06 left on 4 free throws after a foul and a technical. Fremd answered with a 10-3 burst where Klimek and Rosenberg scored off rebounds.
"We came in the locker room at halftime and everyone talked and we came out strong," Klimek said of turning a 13-8 rebound deficit into a 30-25 edge against a Jacobs' team with no regular taller than 6-1.
Sean Meyer added 11 points and 10 rebounds for Jacobs.
"I'm happy with our team," Hinkle said. "They're a quality team and we gave them our best shot. They're just a little better than us."