Hersey 64, Maine East 60

Adversity is nothing new for the Hersey boys basketball team. Losers in nine of their final 12 games regular-season games, including their final four, the Huskies could have easily fallen apart.

Instead, Hersey used the tough stretch as an opportunity to come together and strengthen their belief in each other.

So when No. 6 seed Maine East obliterated the Huskies' 8-point halftime lead with a 12-point run, Hersey didn't panic.

Instead, the seventh seeded Huskies (17-12) responded with a 9-2 run to take the lead for good as they advanced to the Class 4A Evanston sectional final with a 64-60 win.

"We had faith that we went through our hard time all ready," Hersey coach Steve Messer said. "So we know we can outlast four or five minutes of tough times because we went through tough times all season. They believe in each other and that's what you have to do."

Eight players scored for the Huskies, led by junior Kyle Mengarelli's 17 points. Mengarelli hit 6 free throws in the final two minutes in helping Hersey continue its turnaround into Friday's 7:30 p.m. sectional final against top-seed Evanston (27-3).

"We're attacking the hoop and we're playing as a team," Mengarelli said. "We have better team chemistry and everyone is stepping up."

With leading scorer Luke Fabrizius held to 8 points and Griffin Dwyer (13 points) hitting only 1 field goal in the second half, the Huskies looked to other sources for help.

Mike Mueller had Hersey's first 6 points of the third quarter to help minimize the damage of Maine East's big run. Sophomore Steve Nelson's calming presence kept the Huskies focused down the stretch.

"The best part of (Nelson's) game is how (mentally) strong he is for a sophomore," Fabrizius said. "He can handle pressure and he puts pressure on the other guards and forces turnovers. He's just a phenomenal player."

Up 10 in the fourth quarter, Hersey had to hold its breath as the Blue Demons scored 7 straight points to cut its deficit to 50-47. Consecutive layups from Mengarelli and Nelson made it 54-47.

Maine East (18-11) gave the Huskies another scare when Shareq Khan made a 3-pointer to cut Hersey's lead to 61-58. Dwyer hit a pair of free throws with 15.3 seconds to go, but the Blue Demons used a layup to make it a three-point game.

After missing his first free throw with 5.3 seconds left, Mueller's second attempt caught nothing but net to clinch the victory.

"We knew we would be fine at the end," Nelson said. "We just had to keep our composure and keep hitting

our free throws."

Now Hersey can start thinking about facing Evanston, which will have the advantage of playing in its intimate home gym.

"It's going to be exciting," Messer said. "Playing this team was a great prelude to playing Evanston.

"They're very similar, aggressive on the ball going for steals. We're going to really have to work hard. It's not going to be easy but I think we'll have a plan to be successful."