McDonald, Spandiary keys for Schaumburg

Junior Javon McDonald didn't score a point in three of his first four games in a Schaumburg uniform after transferring from Elgin Academy.

Sophomore Christian Spandiary didn't play in the first 16 games of the season as he rehabilitated from a dislocated shoulder that required surgery during the football season.

But McDonald and Spandiary have emerged as key figures for 13th-seeded Schaumburg in its run to the Class 4A Waukegan sectional championship game against the top-seeded hosts at 7:30 p.m. today.

McDonald was the leading scorer for the Elgin Academy varsity as a sophomore. Making the jump from 1A to 4A competition was a big change as he averaged 5.2 points with 14 3-pointers and four double-figure games in the regular season.

Now he's hit double figures in all four of the Saxons' postseason games. McDonald is averaging a team-best 13 points a game and has hit seven 3s.

"We have more clearly defined roles on our team now and Javon has continued to improve throughout the year," Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh said before the sectional semifinals. "He's such a high-character kid. He's intelligent with a strong work ethic and he's really come into his own."

Particularly in Wednesday's 58-48 win over second-seed Deerfield. McDonald's 16 points were just 1 shy of his season high and his four 3s were his season best.

"I'm feeling good at the right time," McDonald said. "My teammates are doing a good job of getting me the ball and getting me open and we're playing really good as a team right now."

Spandiary was averaging 4.5 points in the eight regular-season games after his return. In the postseason his average has jumped to 8.5 with 14 in the regional semifinal win over Fremd and 11 points and 6 rebounds against Deerfield.

Spandiary's play has mirrored Schaumburg's success.

"I feel as a team we're really confident and we can win every game," Spandiary said. "I'm confident we can beat anybody."

Spandiary was one of four underclassmen on the floor down the stretch Wednesday with McDonald, juniors Kurt Kempema and Mark Bielanski. Point guard Declan Geraghty was the lone senior.

"Christian has really played well lately," Walsh said. "He's a very confident kid and his best days are ahead of him. He's certainly added a great deal to our team in this stretch run.

"He certainly gives us a physical presence and uses his body well."

So much for the rematch: The seeds projected No. 2 Deerfield and Wisconsin-bound Duje Dukan getting a shot to avenge 2 of its 3 regular-season losses to No. 1 Waukegan and Illinois-bound Jereme Richmond.

"There are so many scenarios in the state tourney and everybody has their pool sheets and brackets -," said Waukegan coach Ron Ashlaw.

It's unlikely many of them had Schaumburg penciled in to disrupt the anticipated battle of future Big Ten players. But it was further proof of expecting the unexpected when March rolls around.

"I thought (Wednesday) night Schaumburg was a little tougher than Deerfield on some key possessions," Ashlaw said. "When they came down and absolutely had to score they got a basket. When they absolutely needed a stop they got a stop.

"To me it's a product of what the Schaumburg program has been for a number of years even with a new coach. It's ingrained in their program and that's the way their organization has been for so many years. That mindset hasn't changed."

Schaumburg is playing in its 11th sectional title game and has won three (1999, 2001 and 2006).

The Saxons are also 3-1 in Sweet 16 games with the only loss coming to Zion-Benton in the Class 4A Barrington sectional final two years ago. Expansion to four classes changed the Sweet 16 from supersectionals to sectional finals.

Not looking ahead: Deerfield coach Bret Just didn't think his team got caught looking beyond Schaumburg toward a potential showdown with Waukegan.

"We haven't done it all year," Just said. "I just think we were flat and we got in a hole. You look up and it's 17-4 (after a quarter).

"They played more man (defensively) than we've seen in a long, long time other than Waukegan. They pinched on Duje (Dukan) and did a nice job on him (inside)."

Watch out: Tonight's game will be shown on Comcast CN100 on tape delay at 10:30 p.m. Perry Williams, John Cohn and Eric Schmidt also broadcast the Waukegan sectional semifinals.