Boys basketball: Hersey turns up pressure in fourth quarter, tops Palatine to win Molitor Classic title
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to see each other again and share memories and make some new ones. That was certainly true Saturday in Palatine.
Palatine coach Eric Millstone and former Fremd coach Bob Widlowski figured they would never be on opposite benches again after Widlowski retired from coaching last March. But when Widlowski was offered and accepted the head coaching job at Hersey last summer, all of that changed.
The two friends and former coaching rivals who competed against each other for 16 seasons, were back on the same court Saturday in the championship game of the 15th annual Ed Molitor Thanksgiving Classic.
Hersey forced four turnovers in the final quarter to help break from a third quarter tie and pull away from Palatine 57-42 to claim the tournament title.
“It felt like a great road game,” Widlowski said. “We have a lot of respect for coach Millstone and Palatine basketball. They provide a very strong opponent and we are very fortunate to come out of here with a win tonight.”
Millstone, who coached Widlowski’s son Bobby, said it was great to see his friend back on the court.
“Bob Widlowski is great for high school basketball,” Millstone said. “And to have him back is fun. It just felt good.”
Palatine jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead. Hersey then ran off 10 unanswered points culminated by a spinning layup by Jackson Hupp.
Palatine (3-1) regained the lead at 15-13 early in the second quarter on a three-pointer by Darrin Dick. Hersey’s Caden Shah ignited a 9-0 run to surge to a 22-15 lead and settled into a 28-22 halftime advantage.
Hersey began to pull away early in the third quarter when the Huskies led 31-22 on a three by Charlie Pomis. But Palatine’s Tony Balanganayi and Abram Williams had other ideas. The duo combined for 11 points and Carter Monroe’s short jumper at the buzzer tied the game at 35-35.
But it was all Hersey from there.
The Huskies forced three turnovers to open the fourth quarter as Hersey scored six unanswered points to lead 41-35. Monroe’s three cut the margin to 41-38. Hersey, behind Pomis and Hupp, scored the next five points on its way to a 14-2 run to put the game away.
“That was great environment for a Thanksgiving championship game,” Widlowski said. “They brought some people, we brought some people. That was a good early season game for both teams. We are very pleased on how we executed today.”
Pomis, who finished with 14 points and was named tournament MVP, said his team’s pressure defense was the difference.
“We just trust the coaching staff and our plays,” Pomis said. “We just got up, pressured them more. They kind of sped things up on offensive end and made some bad passes. And we took advantage of that.”
Hupp, who finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds, said he likes working inside.
“Once I get the ball in the middle, it all wraps from there,” Hupp said. “I trust him (Pomis) to make shots, or I can take it to the rim. Mostly, I am looking gain some stuff off my teammates.”
Nick Ahlquist and Shah each had 6 points for Hersey. Balanganayi led Palatine with 10 points and 8 rebounds while Dick and Williams each had 9 points and Monroe 7.
“We wanted to run something to start the fourth,” Millstone said. “And the stubborn old mule that I am, we tried running it again. They capitalized on that and the game just got away from us.”