Schaumburg falls to Simeon
PONTIAC — Schaumburg was defiant to the bitter end.
Pitted against defending Class 4A boys basketball state champion Simeon, which was coming off a nationally televised blowout, the Saxons hung tough in the Wolverines' 56-43 victory in opening-day action of the prestigious Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Tuesday afternoon.
“We were more excited than scared to play them,” Schaumburg guard Javon McDonald said.
“(It was) the best team game of the season,” said sophomore post Jimmy Lundquist, who scored the Saxons' first 13 points — including all 11 in the first quarter — en route to a game-high 19-point performance. “It was just a great feeling to play against the top-rated team in the state. Our team found me the ball.”
Christian Spandiary and Kurt Kemperna drained consecutive 3-pointers to bring Schaumburg within 25-21 late in the second quarter.
Simeon (6-0) scored the final 7 points before the intermission to lead 32-21 at the break, and the Public League power seemed in cruise control — until its bench was cited for a technical foul after a no-call on a successful putback.
Schaumburg (4-6) responded with a 12-2 run to cut its 46-28 deficit to a much more manageable 8-point disadvantage.
McDonald (10 points) and Kyle Bolger hit back-to-back 3-pointers to culminate the Saxons' burst.
The Saxons then forced three consecutive stops, but a pair of missed free throws and two turnovers left the deficit unchanged.
The Wolverines' interchangeable cast, featuring athletic wings, quick guards and active posts, ultimately wore down Schaumburg in the final stages.
Jabari Parker, one of the top sophomores in the nation, had 18 points to lead Simeon, which closed out the game with free-throw efficiency.
“I give them a lot of credit,” Simeon coach Rob Smith said of the Saxons' effort. “(Their coaches) did a great job of scouting us. All (Parker) wants to do is win.”
Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh gave no currency to the end result.
“By no means are we excited or happy,” Walsh said. “We expected to win. We have played great teams already this season. They're certainly the best team we have played.”
Simeon presents teams with daunting challenges with its combination of skill, discipline and commitment to its system.
The Wolverines forced Schaumburg into shooting 39 percent from the field (17 of 43), caused 10 more turnovers and also enjoyed a 36-26 plurality on the glass.
Bolger and Spandiary combined for 11 points for Schaumburg.
Schaumburg will face Oak Park-River Forest (6-3) in consolation bracket this morning.