Boys basketball: Fremd rallies from 11 down late, tops Hersey in 4 OTs to clinch MSL West championship
Fremd went a long way and went a long time to come away with the Mid-Suburban League West title Friday.
Fremd first rallied from 11 points down with six minutes to play to send the game into extra time. The Vikings then went four overtimes before outlasting Hersey 82-75 in Arlington Heights.
“It was just an epic MSL game,” Fremd coach Mike Brown said. “We ended up finding a way after four overtimes. It was tough, but we hung together and did what it takes to get it done.”
With the win, Fremd (24-2, 9-1) captured the MSL West outright and earned their second consecutive trip to the MSL title game. The Vikings will host East division winner Hoffman Estates (27-3) at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Fremd had to reach very deep to get the win.
Fremd’s Jordan Williams and Tommy Moffett each played all four overtime periods saddled with four fouls. The duo were both key in the final overtime with Williams picking up a pair of baskets and Moffett knocking down four consecutive free throws.
“I’m exhausted,” said Williams, who scored just 7 points through the first three quarters and then exploded to finish with 24 points.
“The game was a lot mentally and physically. We have had many games likes that this year, so this isn’t the first time we have been in a situation like this. In the huddle, I just kept reminding the guys to be strong.”
Moffett had just 7 points through regulation. But the senior, who missed his first 7 shots from outside the arc during the first four quarters, hit one in the first overtime and then another in the third overtime.
It was his key free throws that finally were able to separate the two teams.
With Fremd leading 64-62 in the fourth overtime, Moffett drew a foul. The Huskies were then called for a technical foul on the same play.
Moffett hit all four free throws to make it 68-62 with 2:32 left in the fourth extra frame.
“My teammates and my coaches kept telling me to keep shooting,” said Moffett, who finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
“They were trusting me to make the next one. I put a lot of work into my shooting. So I trust myself.”
Fremd’s Charlie Chlan was fouled and subsequently converted both of his free throws as the Vikings had a six-point possession and a 70-62 lead. Hersey would never recover as Fremd knocked down all 10 of its free throws in the fourth overtime.
“Hersey, who is such a good team and well coached, we knew it was going to be a dogfight,” Brown said. “It proved to be that in the fourth overtime. We handled the ball well and made the right plays and our free throws.”
Fremd had to battle its way back after Hersey had dominated play for over three quarters.
Led by Charlie Pomis, who scored a career-high 45 points, Hersey (17-7, 7-3) made Fremd earn every point they scored. Hersey built a 45-34 lead with 6:31 left in regulation.
Led by Williams, Fremd slowly closed the gap. The Vikings then were able to tie it at 52-52 in a three-pointer by Rafael Pinto (20 points) with just over 10 seconds to play.
Chase Nelson added 12 points for Fremd while Logan Luxem had 9 points for Hersey and Ethan Gries added 7 points.
“When we looked at the calendar and Fremd versus Hersey was the last game of the league, we knew it could be something special,” Hersey coach Bob Widlowski said. “That was an incredible game for the fans and a very tough loss for the Huskies. I thought we played very well tonight.”