No sharing in MSL East for Prospect
Three times in the fourth quarter, host Buffalo Grove was able to cut the lead to 6 points.
But with an outright Mid-Suburban East boys basketball title in sight, 6-foot-9 senior Will Botefuhr and his Prospect teammates were not about to be denied Friday night.
Botefuhr, who played in the Arlington Heights Youth Baskeball Association his freshman and sophomore years before trying out for the Prospect team as a junior, had career highs of 19 points and 13 rebounds as the Knights clinched the East crown outright with a 76-60 win over BG.
"Offensive rebounding and defensive rebounding that was our focus tonight," said Botefuhr, as the Knights outboarded the Bison by almost a 2-1 margin.
The Knights had three players in double-figures on the glass as 6-5 senior Terry Redding grabbed 12 rebounds and classmate Danny O'Brien collected 10.
The teams combined to shoot 76 free throws as Prospect was 28-of-44 while BG finished 22-of-32.
"This was the most physical game that we've played all year," said Knights coach John Camardella. "The guys (on both teams) know each other so well, and they've been playing against each other for a long time."
Prospect led by as many as 14 points in the first half, but when BG senior guard Jeff Zabrin (17 points) hit a free throw with 6 minutes remaining in the game, the Bison trailed only 53-47.
The home team twice again got within that margin, but Prospect (16-7, 8-2) junior guard Mike LaTulip, who scored a game high 26 points, made sure BG (16-9, 6-4) got no closer.
LaTulip, who now has connected on 34 straight free throws without a miss, sank 8 late in the game to extend the lead and put the game away.
"He (LaTulip) sealed the deal," said Camardella. "He's been great for us down the stretch all year."
BG junior Sam Wacker scored a team-high 18 points, while teammate Rich Zirngibl added 11 for the Bison.
Brad Reibel added 15 points for Prospect, 9 of those coming in the fourth quarter, while Redding added 7 and O'Brien 5.
"I'm proud of the way we hung tough tonight," said Camardella, "and I'm happy we were able to come out of here with a win."