Schaumburg, Barrington in West battle
A week ago there were four in the lead.
Today there are two in front.
And later on this evening, it will be down to only one team at the top of the Mid-Suburban West boys basketball race.
The co-leaders and two of last year's tri-champions meet at 7:30 p.m. today when Barrington (12-6, 4-1) hosts Schaumburg (13-4, 4-1) to start the second half of division play.
The Broncos took the first meeting 45-44 on Dec. 16 on Brad Zaumseil's game-winning rebound basket at the buzzer. They are coming off one of their best defensive efforts of the season in a 61-41 win over Fremd last week and 6-foot-7 Western Illinois signee John Schneider scored 8 points in his third game back from a broken hand.
Schaumburg responded to the tough loss by winning seven of its last eight. Junior Jimmy Lundquist scored 22 points and hit four 3-pointers in the first meeting.
Fremd (10-8, 3-2) and Conant (8-9, 3-2) will try to stay a game back of whoever emerges as the division leader. In Saturday games, Conant hosts Palatine (2-15, 1-4) at 6 p.m. and Fremd hosts Hoffman Estates (5-10, 0-5) at 7:30 p.m.
All three MSL East games are at 6 p.m. Saturday. Rolling Meadows (11-5, 5-0) finally plays on its new home floor for the first time and tries to maintain its two-game lead when it faces Elk Grove (7-10, 2-3).
Prospect (9-6, 3-2) hosts Hersey (7-9, 3-2) in a crucial game to stay in the East race. Wheeling (1-16, 1-4) comes off its first win and tries to avenge a 42-point loss as it hosts Buffalo Grove (5-12, 1-4).
St. Viator (15-2, 3-0) tries to stay on top of the East Suburban Catholic Conference when its hosts Nazareth (6-11, 1-2) at 7:30 p.m. today. Notre Dame and Marian Catholic are 2-0 in the ESCC.
A Smart approach: Most freshmen go through their high school basketball growing pains away from the spotlight. Palatine's Roosevelt Smart has experienced his on the varsity.
Smart had one of his best offensive games last Saturday with 18 points in a 54-50 win over Hoffman. His career high was 19 against Barrington.
"When he plays under control and within himself," said Palatine coach Eric Millstone, "and lets the game come to him, he helps us."
Busy Tuesday: This week was quiet because of exams but Tuesday features some interesting nonconference matchups. Prospect has its annual matchup with Glenbrook North in Northbrook and Viator has a tough test at surging Lake Forest, which has won four in a row and six of seven after a 3-6 start.
Hersey hosts Lake Park, Palatine hosts Vernon Hills and Elk Grove is at Maine South.
City-Suburban Showdown venue change: An NCAA bylaw has forced the 17th annual City-Suburban Showdown on Feb. 18 to move from the UIC Pavilion to Proviso West High School.
The bylaw prohibits nonscholastic organizations from hosting high school basketball events at Division I venues.
The tripleheader features Warren vs. Proviso East at 6:30 p.m., De La Salle vs. Simeon at 8:30 p.m. and St. Rita vs. New Trier at 4:30 p.m.