Team effort leads to another Rolling Meadows win
The Rolling Meadows boys basketball team reeled off its 34th straight MSL East victory Friday with a 58-33 decision over visiting Buffalo Grove.
To the untrained eye one may assume that the Mustangs do not have the firepower they had the last six years with Max and Cam Christie.
Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich looks at it with a somewhat different view.
"This team shares the ball very well," said Katovich. "Maybe it looks like they work harder on offense but they don't care who scores. They try to make a good shot a better shot. We have guys who can score a lot of points. They know that so they are willing to share the ball."
One of the offensive pluses that has helped the Mustangs has been the consistent play of junior guard Jaeden Warrrener.
Warrener scored seven of his nine points in the first quarter leading Rolling Meadows to a 15-7 lead. Ian Miletic, who led the Mustangs with 17 points and eight rebounds, scored six points on two 3-point baskets.
"The whole starting five takes pride in moving the ball around," said Warrener. "It's not one person, we all work hard and we know what we are capable of. We're a disciplined team and we take pride in making the good plays. I'm not surprised we’re 9-1 at this points but it's because of a lot of hard work."
"Jaeden has given us a lot not only on offense but also on defense," said Katovich. "We put him on the other team’s best player. He takes pride in it. He works hard and I'm very happy for him."
The Bison had a tough time getting the ball through the basket as they shot just 26% on 13 of 50 from the field.
"We have not been shooting the ball very well at all," said Bison coach Kevin Geldon. "We've kind of struggled at it most of the season. I think it's a snowball effect. When you're missing shots you have to find a way to stop their runs and it's hard against a good team like Rolling Meadows. We have a good group of kids and they will work to find a way to get the ball in the basket."
By halftime Rolling Meadows rolled to a 29-12 lead with Miletic scoring 7 points and Gavin Escobedo 4 points.
By the end of the third quarter the Mustangs had doubled up the Bison 46-23.
The Mustangs shot well for the entire game connecting on 55% of their shots on 22 of 40 from the field.
Jack Duffer added 9 points, Escobedo 8 and Lazar Lazarevic 5.
Lucas Anam-Ndu led Buffalo Grove with 10 points and Connor Woodin had 9 points.
"Now we have to get ready for a very tough York tournament next Tuesday," said Katovich. "We have Glenbard West who has been improving and then Andrew or St. Laurence. Those are all good teams."
The Bison head to Wheeling for the 49th Hardwood Classic next week.
"We get to play four games in a row," said Geldon. "It gives us a chance to just go out, play ball and work on things."