Prospect gets tougher in 2nd half, downs Fremd
Prospect boys basketball coach Brad Rathe made no bones about it at halftime that his Knights were not playing up to their standards.
"At halftime, I really had to get on the team," said Rathe. "In the first half we did not play hard. We talked about coming out in the third quarter and creating an edge."
Tied at 22 against Fremd at Prospect’s Jean Walker Fieldhouse, the Knights turned on the juice to secure a 54-40 Mid-Suburban League crossover win.
"We stressed working the boards because if you can control the glass you can play with anybody," said Rathe.
Prospect, now 13-5 and winners of 8 of their last 10, dominated the boards 13-2 in the third quarter to help build a 42-33 lead going into the final frame.
"That third quarter was the difference," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski. "Give Prospect credit. They played hard and made runs at key times."
Two free throws by the Vikings’ Samuel Hirsch gave Fremd (10-6) its last lead at 24-22 with 7:49 left in the quarter.
The Knights then used an 8-0 run to build a 30-24 lead.
Drew Terpins, who would lead Prospect with 16 points, hit a three-point shot with 6:03 left for a 26-24 lead.
Terpins hit two free throws and was followed by Frankie Poshnjari (8 points, 6 rebounds) with two free throws and a three-pointer by Ryan Lifton (8 points) to build a 37-28 lead.
In the meantime, Cole Chapman was doing his part under the boards with 10 rebounds. Prospect would outrebound the Vikings 35-18.
Chapman’s rebound as he fell to the floor and then fed Poshnjari for a layup build the lead to 46-35 with 4:00 left in the game. Chapman’s only basket came on an offensive rebound.
"Chapman was relentless for us," said Rathe. "That was a great play. Plays like that can be devastating to the opposing team."
"I worked hard in the off-season to add muscle and strength to help me when I am under the boards and to play better inside," said Chapman. "In the first half I wasn't doing the most of what I am capable of doing. I made a point in my head that in the second half I would give it my all."
Terpins echoed Chapman’s thoughts.
"I wasn't playing hard in the first half," said Terpins. "We came out with more energy and we brought it together. We're putting the pieces together in practice. The Wheeling Hardwood (tournament) is our lucky charm. After the tournament last year we played well and we want to do the same this year."
In the second half of last season Prospect went 15-5 before losing in the sectional final.
Neither team shot well from the field as the Knights hit 16 of 41 and Fremd was 15-45 and just 1-9 from beyond the arc.
Sophomore Jordan Williams led Fremd with 12 points. Ryan Cox had 9 and Hirsch had 8 points.