Fremd tops Schaumburg in low-scoring affair

Schaumburg might have gotten a little spark of momentum Friday night from the terrific version of the Star Spangled Banner from Saxons senior Alan Medina.

Ultimately, though, after a hot start, Schaumburg couldn't hold off the inspired play of visiting Fremd.

Medina played a rare (for high school sports anyway) instrumental performance of the national anthem, and his jazzy take on the saxophone finished to a round of sustained applause from the big crowd.

The Saxons rode the wave to an early 8-0 advantage and still held a healthy lead at halftime, but fell victim to a strong second half defensive effort by the Vikings.

Fremd held Schaumburg to just 6 points in the second half - only 1 in the fourth quarter - en route to a 35-26 boys basketball win in the Mid-Suburban West.

Schaumburg senior center Nicholas Doroskin scored 8 points in the first half but was held to just 1 more in the final two periods.

"I thought (Fremd 6-foot-3 junior) Caiden Suchy did a real nice job on 33 (Doroskin) tonight," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski. "But we just didn't give him enough help in the first half. In the second half, we did a much better job of giving him help."

Buckets from Doroskin in the paint and senior guard DJ Wilson staked Schaumburg to the early 8-point lead.

Fremd (15-8, 5-4) didn't score until midway through the first, and Schaumburg kept the pressure on in the second quarter.

Doroskin scored late to give Schaumburg a 20-14 lead at intermission, then Fremd rallied in the third.

"We had a very good conversation at halftime," said Widlowski, "and I was very pleased about how we defended in the second half."

Schaumburg's Jordan Tunis opened the third quarter with a 3-pointer to extend the Saxons' lead to 9, but Fremd used defense to slowly creep back into contention.

And when Vikings senior guard Eli Schoffstall drove the baseline through traffic for a layup midway through the third, added another bucket moments later, then hit a free throw, Fremd had its first lead at 24-23.

"We got some turnovers and were able to stretch the floor a little bit," said Widlowski. "Then we did a nice job of holding the lead in the fourth quarter."

A drive and basket by Fremd senior guard Aaron Orido saw the Vikings take a 33-26 lead with 5:03 remaining in the game.

Then due to some outstanding defense and a patient offense, Fremd was able to hold Schaumburg at bay, and free throws from Chris Smyros of the Vikings were the only points the rest of the way.

Doroskin finished with 9 points to lead Schaumburg, while Tunis added 5.

Schoffstall led Fremd with a game-high 16 points and played a great all-around floor game, while teammates Smyros (7 points), Orido (4) and Mark Braun (4) gave big assists to the win.

And in addition to praising his defense, Widlowski even had a take on the Star Spangled Banner star turned in from Medina.

"Fantastic," he said.