Lake Zurich edges Prospect in OT on emotional night
Before Prospect's home opener versus Lake Zurich Tuesday evening, a moment of silence was observed prior to tipoff in the nonconference contest for the passing of Bill Rathe, father of Knights coach Brad, who passed away in September at the age of 66 after a short bout with cancer.
Preceding that was a tribute his memory made by Rathe's predecessor and now assistant coach John Camardella. It paid homage to the Rathe family and how he along with his wife of 44 years, Cheryl, cheered on the current Prospect coach, his sister Christina (Moser), and brothers Alex, Jackson, Colin and Nathan during their time at Lake Zurich competing for the Bears in various sports at the school.
"As a father, husband, and friend Bill embodied the values of a true family man. His impact on our two schools will continue to resonate deeply in both communities."
Had he been in attendance at Jean Walker Fieldhouse, he would have likely enjoyed the back and forth battle that both squads engaged in for 36 minutes before the visitors (3-2) emerged on top 48-46 to win their third straight game after losing their first two last week at the Loyola/New Trier tourney to both hosts.
"They're really good," Lake Zurich coach Terry Coughlin said of his team's opponent which came into the contest having started their season with four straight wins at last week's St. Viator Thanksgiving Tournament.
"The reason why we keep playing them is the LZ connection with the Rathes and obviously this year is a little bit more special. I talked to Brad and (his father) saw as many games, maybe more (at Lake Zurich) because of how many kids they had at (the) LZ program. We learned a few lessons (tonight). They out-toughed us, really, to be honest. We just hit one (more) shot and we did get a stop when we really needed it. I'm really proud of our guys. They fought to the end. There were a lot of times where we could've laid down and we just didn't."
The Bears responded to the challenge after a 9-2 run by the Knights (4-1) had them up 38-32 with 6:33 left in regulation.
It was there that 6-8 junior center Anton Streinikov tallied 8 of his game-high 22 points that served as the foundation of a 10-2 response that put LZ ahead 42-40 with 2:42 left in the fourth. Prospect evened the game on a Cole Chapman hoop with 1:26 left in regulation.
After Streinikov's miss of a 16-footer at the end of regulation which forced a fifth period and 3 of Knights senior guard Drew Terpins' team-high 15 put the Knights up 45-44 with 2:50 left, he was able to get Bears back into contest with his ninth and final hoop from the paint just nine ticks later that brought the Bears within 45-44.
Sophomore Kain Kretschmar (7 points) would put LZ ahead to stay exactly two minutes later 47-45 when he connected from beyond the arc.
Yet, the Knights still had an opportunity to both tie and win the contest in the closing seconds when Terpins connected only once at the charity stripe after having made his first seven foul shots. Following Streinikov's free throw with 5 ticks left, Prospect worked the ball back to Terpins where his game-winning attempt from behind the three-point line hit the back of the rim and went out.