Barrington's defensive effort wears down Hoffman Estates

About the only thing missing for Barrington's boys basketball team right now is a few minutes of focus here and there.

Barrington had a couple of such letdowns in concentration and Hoffman Estates hustled its way back into the game numerous times Friday night, but the host Broncos regrouped each time and held on for an MSL West-opening 53-39 win.

It wasn't as easy as the score might appear. After Jorden Thornton's first and only basket of the night, Hoffman Estates (1-5, 0-1) had pulled within 40-37 midway through the final quarter. The Hawks had trailed by as many as 13 in the third after high-scorer Brett Budzak (12 points) hit 2 free throws off a steal and hit a 3-pointer on the ensuing possession.

And the Broncos were doing it with defense. They opened the second half on a 13-2 run, keyed by Budzak and backcourt runningmate Mickey O'Donnell, who each had a 3-pointer in the quarter. Inside, Will Reinhard (11 points) and Ethan Small proved too tall for the Hawks (1-5), as Barrington outrebounded them 26-13.

"We rebounded really well," said Barrington coach Bryan Tucker, whose club closed the second half the same way it opened it - on a 13-2 run.

After Thornton's 3, the Broncos got free throws from O'Donnell (8 points) and Ben Weber (9), another Budzak 3 and then 2 more free throws apiece from that pair to close it out.

Continually, though, Barrington credited its defensive effort, limiting the explosive Thornton, who was guarded closely all night by O'Donnell and Budzak, and was even shown the respect of being doubled without the ball.

"They (O'Donnell and Budzak) did a great job," said Tucker.

"We talked quite a bit about shutting him down," Reinhard said of the focus on Thornton. But that enabled him to get Terry Davis open for a trio of 3-pointers, all open looks, and the Hawks also got support from Konrad Kieruzal (10 points), who battled gamely inside against Reinhard and Small.

"We need a little more focus on all the players on the floor," and not just the other team's leaders, Reinhard suggested.

For Hoffman Estates coach Luke Yanule, it was a bit frustrating to watch Barrington put his team away at the free throw line. The Broncos made 17 of 21 foul shots.

"We negate all that hustle with fouls," Yanule said. "You can't shoot yourself in the foot like that."

Barrington, meanwhile, just wants to truly provide a full effort.

"We had a lot of empty possessions," said Tucker, who team meets Hersey in an MSL crossover Saturday.