McDonald helps Schaumburg break away

Friday night at Schaumburg High School, the Saxons and visiting Hoffman Estates came out firing in their Mid-Suburban League West showdown.

However, both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the Saxons' 49-41 win.

The first basket of the game didn't come until Schaumburg scored at the 4:10 mark of the first quarter, and the Saxons (11-9, 5-4) didn't look back.

Led by junior Javon McDonald's 8 first-quarter points, the Saxons outscored the Hawks 17-4 in the quarter.

"We wanted to start fast," said McDonald. "We looked flat early, and I wanted to bring energy off the bench."

Hoffman (12-10, 2-7) struggled from the field and shot just 18 percent in the first quarter.

"We got a lot of looks early," said Hoffman coach Bill Wandro. "Usually when you shoot 18 percent you take 18 percent shots."

Wandro wasn't happy with the way his Hawks worked for their offensive looks.

"We turned the ball over too many times in the first half," he said. "And we're not screening for each other."

Trailing 28-13 to start the third quarter, the Hawks came out swinging and went on a run of their own. Seniors Jimmy Fabbrini (8 points, all in the second half) and Kevin Tiongsons (14 points, two 3-pointers) closed the deficit to 28-24 with 3:38 left in the third quarter.

"We were down almost 20," said Tiongson. "Jimmy (Fabbrini) started things, and I just fed off of him."

The Hoffman defense stepped up as well, not allowing a point to the Saxons until McDonald (17 points, three 3s) hit a 3 with 2:55 left in the third.

"Playing with a lead is not always easy," said Saxons coach Matt Walsh. "We haven't done it a lot this year, but Chris Baker played well and the rest of the team contributed."

McDonald's 3 may have been the dagger for Hoffman as it couldn't get closer than 6 points the rest of the way.

"We need to be more consistent," Wandro said. "We need to start working for each other."

Schaumburg senior guard Declan Geraghty had 8 points and hit 5 of 6 free throws.