Botefuhr's one big addition for Prospect

A big surprise walked into the office of Prospect boys basketball coach John Camardella and assistant Brad Rathe a couple of years ago.

Will Botefuhr was one of the tallest kids in the school. But he was a big mystery to Camardella and Rathe since he didn't try out for Prospect's freshman and sophomore teams.

"It sounds made up," Camardella said with a laugh. "The kid walks in and introduces himself and says he'd like to sign up for summer camp and come out for the team.

"We were pleasantly surprised. We couldn't believe we missed him in the hallways."

There is no missing the 6-foot-9 Botefuhr any more as he's become a key part to the Knights' (12-6, 6-1) run toward a fourth straight Mid-Suburban East title.

He is averaging 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds a game, has blocked a team-high 39 shots and is shooting 68 percent from the field going into today's 6:30 p.m. visit to Rolling Meadows (10-9, 4-3).

Botefuhr got his first varsity starts last weekend with guard Grant DePalma away on a football recruiting visit. Botefuhr had a career-high 18 points and 7 rebounds in a win over Elk Grove and had 9 points as the Knights ended an 11-game losing streak to Glenbrook North.

"I knew I had to step up and play the best I could and I think I did," Botefuhr said. "I got a little nervous toward the start of the (Elk Grove) game but once the game got going I was going full force."

Camardella told Botefuhr it would be a two-year commitment and he saw very limited action as a junior. Camardella said the combination of Botefuhr's improved footwork and physical condition along with "great hands" and his ability to set screens for players such leading scorer Mike LaTulip has led to significant playing time.

"It's such an interesting story for someone of his size and talent," Camardella said. "It's his first year of being a major part of a team where he's relied on night after night, and he has to produce because it isn't just for fun."

Botefuhr played for church league and park district teams his first two years at Prospect.

"There were 60-some kids trying out my freshman year and 15 big men and I didn't think I could compete against them," said Botefuhr, who was 6-5. "After awhile I got bigger and stronger and decided to try out.

"A lot of people asked me why I didn't try out as a freshman and sophomore and that motivated me to try out."

Bill Reed, whose son Kevin was a two-time all-area pick at Prospect, knew about Botefuhr and told Camardella it was worth taking a shot on him.

Now Botefuhr hopes for a shot to play somewhere in college. Camardella said Oakton College and Harper College are interested and a few Division III schools have inquired.

"I didn't think I'd have a chance my junior year to make the team," Botefuhr said. "Now that I'm on the team and playing a lot, it's nice."

Botefuhr and 6-6 Matt Loebbaka will play big roles against Meadows' 6-6 Paul Volkman and 6-7 Scott Shewmon, who was out injured in a 55-32 loss at Prospect.

Hersey (12-7, 6-1) tries for a season sweep when it hosts Buffalo Grove (13-8, 4-3) at 6:30 p.m. Wheeling (4-15, 0-7) is at Elk Grove (5-16, 1-6) in the other East game.

West is getting wild: The winner of tonight's visit by Barrington (15-7, 5-2) to Fremd (14-7, 5-2) at 6:30 p.m. today will remain in first place in the MSL West.

Whether it's alone or with some company depends on Schaumburg (9-9, 5-2) and its visit to Conant (13-6, 4-3) at 6:30 p.m.

Fremd beat Barrington 53-41 on Dec. 3 as Zach Monaghan scored 22 points for the winners. The Broncos got 18 points from Greg Gerrard but were held to their season-low point total as 6-7 John Schneider was out with an ankle injury.

Conant beat Schaumburg 57-53 as London Dokubo and George Pessimissis each scored 14 points. Javon McDonald led the Saxons with 16 points.

Hoffman Estates (4-15, 0-7) hosts Palatine (7-13, 2-5) at 6:30 p.m.

CSL North heats up: How big of a deal was Glenbrook North losing consecutive Central Suburban North games to Niles North and Deerfield?

The Spartans had lost only three division games the last seven years. They went 83-7 en route to winning outright or sharing the last eight CSL North crowns.

Now the Spartans and Niles North are tied for the division lead at 5-2 with Maine West and Deerfield a game back. Maine West hosts Niles North tonight and Glenbrook North on Feb. 11.

Reunion at Palatine: When Eric Millstone was a senior at Buffalo Grove his head coach was Rich Roberts. One of the frequent visitors to shoot baskets at practices was Roberts' son Jimmy.

Now, the sons of former BG head coaches will be in charge on opposite benches at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Millstone and Palatine host Round Lake, which is in its first year under Roberts.

Millstone's father Doug took over as BG head coach in the 1990-91 season when Roberts moved over to become the school's head football coach.

There are also some ties binding the coaches when Lake Zurich visits Hersey at 7 p.m. Saturday. First-year Lake Zurich coach Billy Pitcher was an assistant to Hersey coach Steve Messer at Elk Grove.

Gearing up for the postseason: Class 4A and 3A seeds for the state tournament are scheduled to be released by the IHSA on Thursday with the pairings coming out next Friday.