Schaumburg outlasts Conant as rivalry takes a new twist

Extra spice usually doesn't need to be added to liven up the boys basketball rivalry between Schaumburg and Conant.

But the Saxons did bring some extra incentive when they hosted Thursday night's Mid-Suburban West matchup. Especially since new head coach Matt Walsh was facing the program where he was an all-area guard and a coach for more than a decade.

The Saxons (6-2, 2-0) came through for Walsh in the latest chapter as they held off a late rally for a 56-49 victory over the Cougars (4-3, 0-2).

"He definitely wanted to win the game and it was kind of special for him," said Schaumburg senior guard Declan Geraghty, who made 14-of-15 free throws en route to a game- and career-high 20 points. "He was playing the guy who mentored him so it was special for us to win the game."

Schaumburg never trailed after taking a 7-4 lead on a 3-pointer by Glenn Frost (12 points). But Conant stormed back from a 13-point deficit to have two possessions to tie in the final three minutes.

"For a second it was kind of hectic," said Saxons junior guard Javon McDonald.

"Then we got right back to it."

McDonald, a transfer from Elgin Academy who grew up in Schaumburg, provided a big boost off the bench with Geraghty and Josh Walker in some second-half foul trouble. Leading scorer Johnny Kirk (17 ppg) also missed the entire second half because of a cut in the back of his head from a collision.

Kirk missed his only 2 shots but McDonald scored 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting with two 3s. Mark Bielanski had 3 assists and Kurt Kempama had 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.

"We got contributions from a lot of different guys," Walsh said of a traditional staple of success for both programs. "Declan really stepped up and showed a lot of poise, leadership and toughness."

McDonald's 3 and Walker's layup put Schaumburg up 36-23. Conant, which got 16 points and 5 assists from Christian Sotos, picked up its defensive pressure and got within 51-48 with 3:04 left.

But a turnover and a missed 3 kept the Cougars from getting even as they finished 7-for-22 behind the arc after a 6-for-10 start. The Saxons sealed it by hitting 5 of 7 free throws in the final 1:38.

"Before and after the game, yeah, but once the ball went up it's two guys competing," McCormack said of the thoughts and emotions of facing Walsh for the first time. "Their guys played extremely hard and our guys played extremely hard."

Typical Conant-Schaumburg with or without a twist.