Fremd keeps focus; Elk Grove falls short

Fremd didn't suffer any letdown when it hosted Lake Zurich in Tuesday night's nonconference boys basketball game.

The Vikings (14-1) cruised to a 63-38 victory as Chris Klimek scored a team-high 19 points. Junior guard Quinton Brown added 10 points and fueled a 22-4 second quarter that put them up 34-11 at halftime on the Bears.

"I thought Quinton Brown spaked us with his defense in the second quarter," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski, whose team beat cross-town rival Palatine 52-39 on Friday. "We got some conversion baskets off our pressure. It was a good, overall team effort."

Zach Monaghan added 9 points and Charlie Rosenberg scored 8 points for the Vikings. Senior Aaron Lewandowski scored a game-high 21 points for Lake Zurich.

Highland Park 36, Elk Grove 30: For the third straight game Elk Grove was in a one-possession game in the final minutes.

But Elk Grove (4-12) suffered its third straight loss as host Highland Park (7-8) scored the final 4 points in the nonconference win.

A Keven Zelaya free throw got Elk Grove within 32-30 but it missed 2 shots after a defensive stop and Marin Kukoc (14 points) answered with a dunk for the Giants.

"That's where we need to grow and play with confidence down the stretch," said Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman. "But it's a good spot for us to be in as we continue down the stretch here."

A 10-0 run put the Giants ahead 15-8 after a quarter and they were able to used their patience to keep the lead. Brian Battaglia led the Grens with 10 points and senior Donny Duschinsky scored 8 points after missing 14 games with a knee injury.

"He was rusty but he felt good to be out there," Furman said after Duschinsky played close to 24 minutes. "He was really attacking from the high post late (4 fourth-quarter points)."