Klimek, Monaghan show poise for Fremd
Stressful situations brought out the best in Fremd as it took another step toward its first Mid-Suburban League boys basketball division title in 12 years Saturday night.
The Vikings didn't panic when host Schaumburg came out red-hot in their MSL West showdown. Zach Monaghan looked as if he was shooting a layup when he nailed a three-quarter court buzzer-beater to end the first half.
And after the Saxons closed within 2 points late in the third quarter, the Vikings (16-1, 6-0) calmly pulled away to a 59-48 win and a two-game West lead.
"We did a good job of shortening their runs and extending the lead," said Fremd senior Chris Klimek, who had a game-high 24 points on 10-for-15 shooting and 7 rebounds.
"We're experienced," Monaghan said after scoring 20 points to go with 7 assists. "A lot of us have played together and we know how to handle pressure."
Which Schaumburg (10-7, 4-2) endured for the second time this season.
"That's the second game in a row they've kind of kicked our butt (late)," Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh said of Fremd rallying from a 1-point third-quarter deficit for a 55-45 win in December. "More than anything their toughness and experience showed."
It did after Johnny Kirk (15 points), Declan Geraghty (12 points, 7 rebounds), Glenn Frost and Josh Walker combined to hit five 3-pointers as Schaumburg hit 9 of its first 11 shots en route to a 25-20 lead.
"That's not us," Monaghan said. "We really made an effort after that and wanted to set a tone."
Monaghan capped a 15-2 finish to the half with a long bomb he regularly practices with teammate Chris Vainisi.
"I knew he was going to hit it," Klimek said with a smile.
Schaumburg got within 42-40 on Kurt Kempema's 3 with 2:43 left in the third. Monaghan nailed a 23-footer to start a 12-4 burst to put Fremd in control as it shot 58.8 percent (20-for-34).
Schaumburg committed 8 of its 18 turnovers and was 2-for-15 from the field the last nine minutes.
"We talk about it a lot," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski.
"This is an experienced group. These guys have been in those situations before and they responded accordingly."