Prospect prevails from long range and free-throw line

Prospect displayed the difference between successful and unsuccessful offensive set plays all on its own Tuesday in Wheeling's 32nd annual Hardwood Classic.

In the first half, everything was running smoothly for the Knights offensively.

Joe LaTulip, Jack Redding and Mike LaTulip each sank three 3-pointers as Prospect jumped out to a 43-28 halftime lead over Naperville Central.

In the second half, the Knights managed just 4 field goals - none from beyond the arc - and relied on great free-throw shooting and lockdown defense to come away with a 62-43 win.

"When you see a shot go in, you have to know that the screen has to be there. The pass has to be there. The timing has to be there," said Prospect coach John Camardella. "Joe, Jack and Mike get a lot of the credit, but it's all the other guys who are freeing them up. And that's why the offense works."

It also helps when you have three players red-hot from the field.

"One of our focal points is to execute and set our screens," said Redding, who scored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. "When our feet are set, we don't usually miss."

Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer said his team was missing two regular starters, and the Redhawks struggled to knock down open looks at the basket when they were available.

"We had to extend our defense and we aren't used to doing that," said Kramer about defending the Knights from 3-point range. "I thought the kids did a better job. I thought they broke us down when they needed to, and they made shots and we didn't."

Naperville Central (7-4) was able to climb back into the game by holding Prospect to 5 points in the third quarter - which left Joe LaTulip thinking of the Bulls for a moment.

"In the third quarter the shots weren't going down, and we had to slow the game down," said LaTulip, who scored 18 points.

It was like the Bulls (Monday) night. They had a 35-point lead. It kind of felt that way in the locker room. It was like, 'Hey, we're up 15, we've got to maintain it.' It was just making smart decisions and executing."

Mike LaTulip led the Knights with 19 points, and Nsenzi Salasini added 7 points and 10 rebounds.

Camardella called Naperville Central's Matt Neufeld the best big man the Knights have seen all year.

"He's a load down there," Camardella said.

Neufeld scored a game-high 21 points to go along with 8 rebounds. Bobby Czarnowski added 10 for the Redhawks.