Boys basketball: Hoffman Estates clinches share of MSL East title, snaps Schaumburg’s seven-game winning streak
Two of the area's hottest hoop squads converged of the home court of Hoffman Estates High School Friday night to help determine the Mid-Suburban East race.
If the East-leading host Hawks, winners of 9 in a row and off to the program's best start in over 20 years, won they would clinch a share of the East and an automatic berth to the Feb. 20 MSL title game vs. the West Division champ.
However, if visiting second-place Schaumburg could capture its eighth consecutive win it would move the race into a first-place tie between the archrivals with two weeks of divisional play remaining.
As an added bonus for the Saxons, it would avenge a home loss to Hoffman from the previous month where it saw a 15-point second half lead go by the wayside.
Unfortunately for Schaumburg, it ran into a Hoffman unit that after some needed early maintenance was cleared for take off.
Once that happened, it became a very friendly ride that upon landing netted them a share of the East title and the MSL championship game slot in a convincing 62-41 home triumph.
It is the first MSL divisional crown for Hoffman (22-3, 8-0) since Bill Wandro's third and final title in 2009 when the Hawks shared the MSL West with Schaumburg.
"All credit to our guys. Their approach. Their consistency. Their commitment to details and all of the things that go into winning have really shown up for us this season. They put in the work, day in, day out." Hawks coach Peter McBride said after earning the program's sixth MSL divisional title in its 51 season history.
After spotting Schaumburg (15-9, 6-2) a 15-7 advantage late in the first, the home team was able to work their way back to within 21-20 on a successful drive to the basket by senior guard Ramon Rosario.
Then following a putback by Saxons senior guard Tony Horton for 2 of his game-high 22 points, the Hawks proceeded to go on a 10-0 tear over the final 3:20 of the opening half. That gave them the lead for good at 30-23 at the break as senior sharpshooter Torey Baskin and junior forward Cam James each tallied 5 points during the run.
It was also during that stretch where Schaumburg senior guard Aiden Patterson suffered a game-ending lower body injury after being involved in a loose ball collision with 1:24 left.
The Hawks then began the second half with a 10-4 run that Rosario concluded with another drive inside the lane which put them safely ahead 40-27 with 4:45 left in the third.
Schaumburg would get no closer than 10 the rest of the way.
Rosario aided in the victorious effort with 17 points as he went 8 for 9 from the field including 3 of 3 from three-point range.
James added 9 points while sophomore center Bryce Smith had 8 points and 6 boards.
Rosario stressed the urgency which his team approached the game.
"This was for the (division) title. We needed this one real bad. We're just trying to make a name for ourselves," Rosario said. "It's a blessing to be a part of this team. I love these boys."