Monster third quarter lifts Fremd

If you think Fremd is tough to beat when the Vikings play a "complete" game, you should see them when they play a complete quarter.

The Vikings boys did that Friday night in the third period, holding Hoffman Estates without a field goal and breaking away from the stubborn hosts for a 60-52 Mid-Suburban League West Division win that kept their hopes alive for at least a piece of the division title.

"We did a nice job." said Vikings coach Bob Widlowski. "We were solid defensively."

They had to be. Upstart Hoffman (5-17, 0-9) was trying to win its final MSL home game for retiring coach Bill Wandro.

But this contest was like a synopsis of the Hawks' season. They battled Fremd (16-8, 6-3) even through a deadlocked first half only to have it go to pieces after intermission.

In a blitzkrieg third quarter, Fremd outscored Hoffman 11-1 behind center Jack Konopka (15 points) and his ability to get to the rim, plus the ballhawking of Zach Monaghan (19 points), Garrett Peters, Jim Scharfe and Ken Leonard.

"The third quarter was the game," said Wandro.

And no one could keep Konopka away from the basket.

"I got the ball where I was able to establish position," said the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder.

He also paced a Fremd rebounding effort that produced a 30-17 backboard advantage for the Vikings. Offensive rebounds were few and far between for the Hawks.

The Vikings protected the lead in the fourth quarter despite a 3-pointer bombardment from Matt Pahl (17 points), Mark Roberts and Austin Terry (15 points) that briefly got the Hawks back within 4 points.

Monaghan went back to work playing the passing lanes and anticipating balls that he turned into layups twice in the quarter, four times in the game.

"Coach Widlowski, he hangs his hat on defense," said Konopka.

"Our guys came in with a very good attitude," said Widlowski.

So did Hoffman.

"That was the best first half we've had all year," said Wandro.

Juniors Alex Bonds, Brian Cvitkovich and Eric Saubert all entered the game and showed not only what they can do but what next year could look like for the Hawks.

Terry didn't get it going until the second half thanks to a terrific defensive effort from Leonard.

Still, it came down to that third quarter.

"Every MSL game is a tough game," said Widlowski. "We came out there to win tonight."