Boys basketball: Williams, Fremd stay hot, knock off Prospect

Fremd senior wing Jordan Williams scored his 1,000th career point in last season’s Mid-Suburban League boys basketball title game.

But he wasn’t officially recognized for the feat until the Vikings’ first home game this season — Friday night, versus MSL West foe Prospect in Palatine.

His performance in Fremd’s 58-49 win, in one word?

Grand.

The 6-foot-6 Illinois State commit poured in a game-high 20 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, hit the bucket that put the hosts up 36-20 at 5:12 of the third quarter, deflected a pass that led to a fastbreak basket early in the fourth quarter, and, finally, swatted a shot that served as the victory’s exclamation point with 1:40 left in the final frame.

“Quicker, faster,” Fremd coach Mike Brown said of Williams, the 2025-26 version, compared to the Williams of the 2024-25 season. “His ball handling has improved, and so has his passing and decision-making and on-ball defense.”

Fremd (7-0, 2-0 in the MSL West) — battling before a festive home crowd, including Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz and Santa-hat-wearing pep band members — appeared to be well on its way to an easy triumph, especially after securing that 16-point lead thanks to a 9-2 run at the outset of the third quarter.

But Prospect’s collective response was, “Not so fast.” The Knights went on a tear, netting 12 straight points from 4:55 to 2:43 of the third quarter and finding themselves down only 39-36 after 24 minutes.

Coach Brad Rathe’s visitors scored 18 in the third quarter, matching their point total in the first half. Reserve senior guard Will Stratigos (8 points, 6 rebounds) nailed a pair of treys, and 6-6 junior forward Danny Simon (15 points, 5 boards) — limited to a field goal in the first half — scored 8 in the impressive rally.

“That could’ve been a 25-point game, easily,” said Rathe. “Then, in no time, we’re down by 3 against a very good Fremd team. The fight we showed, how we responded after falling as far behind as we did … I saw good progress tonight.

“And how hard did Will Stratigos play?” he continued. “He provided us with such good energy, like he often does.”

Fremd senior wing Tommy Moffett (14 points, 8 rebounds), meanwhile, gave his squad exactly what it needed in the fourth quarter: clutch makes. The 6-5 Vike hit a 3-pointer in the first minute of the fourth quarter and two minutes later connected for a bucket following a shot fake and a nifty move to his left.

“He’s more of a leader for us this year and the ball is in his hands more,” Brown said of Moffett, who tallied 12 of his points after intermission, with 6 coming from 3-point hardwood.

Senior guard Rafael Pinto also finished with 14 points for Fremd. The first of his two treys in the second quarter capped off a 9-0 spurt at 5:34; his other triple stretched the Vikings’ advantage to 27-16.

Fremd led 27-18 at the break.

Prospect (4-3, 0-2) hung around gamely in the final quarter, cutting Fremd leads to 46-40, 49-44 and 53-45.

“We made enough stops in the end to eventually pull out a win,” said Brown. “Prospect came to play. Prospect played hard, executed. They really, really brought it. That’s not surprising because it’s such a well-coached team and their players have a lot of pride in the program.”

Knights junior guard Quinn Zinzer tied Simon for team-high scoring honors with 15 points. Senior backcourt mate Colin Tucker contributed 7 points.