Boys basketball: Schaumburg gets a blockbluster win over rival Conant
If you happen to be a college basketball fan you may recall what one cable sports network once started a little over 20 years ago called Bracketbuster Weekend.
The concept gave exposure to programs from NCAA Division I mid-major schools seeking an added boost to their potential chances at getting a berth to the NCAA tournament.
With that in mind, Thursday night's contest between Mid-Suburban West archrivals Schaumburg and Conant had that similar feel as both squads could very well obtain that label when it comes to next month's Class 4A sectional that will be held on the Saxons' home floor this March.
And it was due to successfully earning an early boost of energy which came from a mixture of the team, its coaches, and a strong home crowd, Schaumburg would grab an early lead, sustain it and then hold off a late Conant charge to earn a 74-64 win for their eighth triumph in their last 10 games.
"We didn't play well against Barrington (last) Friday night (a 57-40 loss)," Schaumburg coach Jason Tucker said.
"We struggled to score and (at) putting the ball in the hole. I love how our guys responded tonight. Our (six) seniors have never beaten Conant so this was a great win for us. I'm just so proud of my guys."
After a Ray Black field goal in the closing minute of the first put Schaumburg (16-7, 2-4) ahead 13-11. It also kick-started a second quarter surge that saw the home team outscore the visiting Cougars 20-7 where it held them to just 3-of-7 shooting from the floor while forcing 6 turnovers.
The Saxons then topped off the decisive quarter with a 10-4 burst over the final 2:18 of the half that began on a three-point play from four-year letterman Jordan Tunis that left Schaumburg up 33-20 at the break.
That lead got as high as 43-27 in the third and stood at 50-38 at the start of the fourth before the visiting Cougars (11-10, 3-3) would twice pull within 7 in the final 2:35. Senior guard Nate Hahn's game-high 19th and 20th points at the free-throw line made it 68-61 with 30 ticks left before six consecutive makes at the charity by the home team sealed the game.
Senior reserve guard Javonte McCoy's 14 points off the bench paced the Saxons followed by 13 apiece from Tunis and 6-5 junior forward Cam Anderson and a 12-point, 6-rebound effort by 6-8 senior center Zion Young.
Seniors Bradley Biedke (6-7 forward) and Rohan Patel (6-0 guard) chipped in 10 points each to the Conant effort as it dropped its second consecutive MSL West game.
"We knew this would be a hard-fought game like all MSL West basketball games are," first-year Cougars coach Greg Grana said. "A lot of credit to Coach Tucker and what they're doing over there. I'm so proud of the effort that we put in because it's tough to take a punch in the mouth and get back up which is what we did."
McCoy, a three-year varsity letter winner, talked of his team's ability to respond after a loss at Conant last month.
"We all bought into this game (and) knew we had to come in, be physical (and) match their toughness to secure the 'W'," McCoy said.