Northwest notes/ Rolling Meadows aims higher

The ability to visualize what’s ahead is crucial to a point guard’s success.

Little did Rolling Meadows senior Brian Nelms know how visionary he was after Friday’s 50-47 win at Buffalo Grove in their Mid-Suburban East opener.

“I think we’re a 65 points (a game) team,” Nelms said. “We have the capability to put up points.”

Nelms turned out to be right on the money as one night later the Mustangs (3-3, 1-0) beat Hoffman Estates 65-43. They take a three-game winning streak into today’s 7:30 p.m. MSL East matchup at Hersey (2-4, 1-0).

Nelms is averaging 13.5 points a game and Tyler Gaedele is at 12.2 with 21 3-pointers. Gaedele also gave Meadows a rebounding boost with 17 last weekend.

“If we keep working hard we’ll be a tough team to stop with the weapons we have, the transition game and we have shooters,” Nelms said. “If we’re hitting on all cylinders we can be pretty good.

Nelms said consistency is the main thing the Mustangs need after they committed 19 turnovers at BG. Having the experience of Nelms in his fourth year on the varsity and Gaedele and Eric Lowe in their third seasons has helped with their matchup zone.

“I have a lot of confidence in our guards in the matchup,” said Meadows coach Kevin Katovich.

And an 0-3 start may end up doing more for Meadows’ confidence in the long run.

“We really wanted to play teams at Thanksgiving that would prepare us for what we see in the MSL,” Katovich said.

Today’s other 7:30 p.m. East games have Wheeling (0-6, 0-1) at Prospect (2-3, 1-0) and Buffalo Grove (2-4, 0-1) at Elk Grove (1-5, 0-1).

No repeat for Saxons: A year ago, Schaumburg came out of the St. Charles East tournament at 2-2, lost three straight games and didn’t get above .500 again until mid-February.

This year the Saxons came out of St. Charles East at 3-1 and then lost to Lake Park. But they responded by beating Fremd and Prospect last weekend behind 31- and 27-point games from senior Christian Spandiary.

“We just executed,” Spandiary said. “After Lake Park (46-41 loss), we couldn’t play like that. The guys got me the ball and we executed.”

Senior guard Joe Faleni also had a productive offensive weekend with 10 and 8 points. But he also showed his value on the other end as he spent most of Saturday night guarding two-time all-area guard Mike LaTulip of Prospect.

“Joe’s just a great competitor,” said Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh. “He wants to defend and he’s good at it. He never backs down.”

And Schaumburg is up to a 5-2 record going into today’s 7:30 p.m. MSL West game at Hoffman Estates (3-3, 0-1) instead of down at 2-5 as it was a year ago.

“We’re capable of being a good offensive team,” Walsh said of the Saxons’ 63 and 67 points last weekend after averaging 47.6 in their first five games. “We have to learn to play together and move without the ball.”

Today’s other 7:30 p.m. West games have Barrington (5-2, 1-0) at Conant (3-2, 1-0) and Palatine (1-5, 0-1) at Fremd (4-2, 0-1).

Knights stepping up: It’s no secret teams will gear up to stop Prospect senior Mike LaTulip (17.4 ppg). But seniors Kevin Somogyi (10 ppg), Jack Landwehr (8.6 ppg) and Brad Reibel (7.6 ppg) are adjusting nicely to expanded roles.

“It’s good to see them coming along and we’re getting good production,” said Prospect coach John Camardella. “Teams are really keying their defenses on Mike and it’s a good test for all of us. We have to make sure we stay focused so we’re able to win at any pace.”

Already facing teams such as Oak Park-River Forest, St. Patrick and Schaumburg should help. The Knights also have a nonconference trip to Lyons on Dec. 17.

“I love the fact we’re playing really good teams early,” Camardella said. “It helps our guys understand what’s there.”

Welcome home: Hoffman Estates plays its first home game tonight under new coach Luke Yanule. The opponent is pretty familiar in Schaumburg, where Yanule was an assistant the past four years.

“They’re one of the best teams in the area and the MSL and they defend well and shoot well,” Yanule said after Tuesday’s 59-46 win at Streamwood. “Talk about standards. It’s really going to be a fun game and we’re looking forward to playing it.”

Yanule sees the Hawks continuing to make strides in the right direction toward reaching the standards he’s set.

“Talk about an education, learning a new system and being together as a team,” Yanule said. “In five weeks to be where we’re at, you’re never satisfied, but the direction is pointed up.”

Nice gift to BG: Jim Goff was a big supporter of Buffalo Grove basketball and he rarely missed a boys or girls home game before his death in 2008.

Goff will continue to be a presence in the BG gym as he designated money at the time of his passing to be donated to Bison basketball. As a result, the school had a ceremony Friday between the boys and girls games for new records boards which were purchased and placed by the scoreboard.

There is also a sign near the record boards recognizing Goff’s contribution and support for the BG basketball programs.

Not an easy start: Wheeling came close to its first victory Saturday when it lost 54-51 at defending MSL West champion Barrington. The road this weekend isn’t any easier.

The Wildcats are at defending MSL champion Prospect at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday night face unbeaten and state-ranked Moline at legendary Wharton Field House.

Moline is the Western Big 6 preseason favorite and returns reigning conference scoring leader Anthony Lindauer. But the Maroons did suffer a big loss Friday when one of their best players, Jamaree Atwater, suffered a compound fracture in his lower left leg when he landed awkwardly on another player after a dunk attempt at Galesburg.

Postseason hosts announced: Schaumburg and Barrington have been selected as Class 4A sectional hosts by the IHSA.

Schaumburg will host regional winners from Glenbard West, Lyons, Proviso East and Lake Park and will feed into the Hinsdale Central supersectional against the East Aurora sectional champion.

Where schools have been assigned for sectionals has not yet been announced by the IHSA. Simeon has met Lyons in the sectional and gone through Hinsdale Central for the supersectional en route to its 4A titles the last two years.

Barrington will host regional winners from Palatine, Meadows, Zion-Benton and Stevenson and will feed into the Northern Illinois supersectional against the Dundee-Crown sectional winner.

Glenbrook South is also hosting a sectional with regional winners from St. Patrick, Notre Dame and Niles North and a site still to be determined.

Christian Liberty will also host a 1A regional which feeds into the Mooseheart sectional.