Hersey's Reszotko beats buzzer, OT
Hersey guard Sean Reszotko picked the right time to hit his first game-winning shot at the high school level.
Reszotko's 3-pointer came with 2.4 seconds left as Hersey defeated Elk Grove 62-59 Friday night in the Huskies' Ken Carter Gymnasium in Arlington Heights.
"It's one of the best shots I've ever had," said Reszotko of his 22-foot game-winner. "I remember hitting a few in grade school but not high school. It sure felt good."
Elk Grove led 57-54 with 3:34 left in the Mid-Suburban East contest. Jeff Miceli had just connected on 2 free throws for the lead.
Two missed free throws by Kevin Kozil gave the Grenadiers (10-14, 3-6) a chance to go up by five but they missed their next two attempts to build the lead.
"That was key," said Elk Grove coach Anthuny Furman. "If we make the shot we're up by five. But they came down and cut the lead. Reszotko then hits the shot. We came up a bucket short."
Kozil (13 points) made up for missed free throws by connecting on a 3 with 2:34 left to tie the score at 57. Kozil put Hersey (10-12, 6-3) ahead 59-57 with a basket that came thanks to Quinn Orlandi's back tap on a rebound.
Austin Amann (17 points) tied the game for Elk Grove at 59-59 with 2 free throws with 36.2 left.
Following a time out Hersey inbounded the ball with eight seconds left.
"We were going to run a play," said Reszotko, who finished with 13 points and 5 rebounds, "but, I got stuck in the corner. Kozil drove to the middle and they converged on him. He then kicked it out to me and I hit the shot.
"We're playing good team defense. We're pushing the ball in our transition and playing better as a team. We feel good. We want to win our crossover game and hopefully win the upcoming regional."
At halftime it looked like the Huskies would have their way. Hersey led 36-25 thanks to a 6-0 run that had broken a 17-17 tie early in the second quarter.
Leading 32-25 with 59 seconds left in the half, Justin Jobski (8 rebounds) scored on a putback and Reszotko chipped in with a basket with :04 left.
"We're were back on our heels for about a six-minute span in the second quarter," said Furman. "We got pushed around a little in the span."
"Everyone who played tonight contributed one way or another," said Hersey coach Steve Messer. "I wasn't happy with our turnovers (21). It's hard to defend against that.
"Overall though we've been playing well. Our record isn't that great but we've played a tough non-conference schedule. It makes us stronger when we play our divisional games."