Simeon edges Schaumburg

PONTIAC Schaumburg was defiant to the bitter end.

Pitted against defending Class 4A boys basketball state champion Simeon, which was coming off a nationally televised blowout, the Saxons hung tough in the Wolverines' 56-43 victory in opening-day action of the prestigious Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Tuesday afternoon.

"We were more excited than scared to play them," Schaumburg guard Javon McDonald said.

"(It was) the best team game of the season," said sophomore post Jimmy Lundquist, who scored the Saxons' first 13 points including all 11 in the first quarter en route to a game-high 19-point performance. "It was just a great feeling to play against the top-rated team in the state. Our team found me the ball."

Christian Spandiary and Kurt Kemperna drained consecutive 3-pointers to bring Schaumburg within 25-21 late in the second quarter.

Simeon (6-0) scored the final 7 points before the intermission to lead 32-21 at the break, and the Public League power seemed in cruise control until its bench was cited for a technical foul after a no-call on a successful putback.

Schaumburg (4-6) responded with a 12-2 run to cut its 46-28 deficit to a much more manageable 8-point disadvantage.

McDonald (10 points) and Kyle Bolger hit back-to-back 3-pointers to culminate the Saxons' burst.

The Saxons then forced three consecutive stops, but a pair of missed free throws and two turnovers left the deficit unchanged.

The Wolverines' interchangeable cast, featuring athletic wings, quick guards and active posts, ultimately wore down Schaumburg in the final stages.

Jabari Parker, one of the top sophomores in the nation, had 18 points to lead Simeon, which closed out the game with free-throw efficiency.

Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh gave no currency to the end result.

"By no means are we excited or happy," Walsh said. "We expected to win. We have played great teams already this season. They're certainly the best team we have played."

Bolger and Spandiary combined for 11 points for Schaumburg.

Schaumburg will face Oak Park-River Forest (6-3) in consolation bracket this morning.

Maine West 57, Streamwood 45: Maine West's boys basketball team rebounded from its worst loss of the season with a 57-45 victory over Streamwood on Tuesday in the consolation bracket of the 33rd annual Wheeling Wildcat Hardwood Classic.

Junior Conor Hart scored 22 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the field and 10-for-14 on free throws for the Warriors (7-3), who lost their tourney opener 75-51 to Lake Park. Odera Eneogwe had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Paul Solka and Kevin Garcia added 8 points apiece.

Maine West will play at 2 p.m. today against Carmel (4-9), a 65-55 winner over Vernon Hills. Mike Montgomery's 14 points led Streamwood (3-9), which plays at 10:30 a.m.

Conant 52, St. Francis 49: Dylan Bartuch scored 20 points and hit six 3-pointers as Conant (9-2) held on for the consolation-bracket win in the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic at York. London Dokubo added 10 points for the Cougars, who turned a 20-17 halftime deficit into a a 38-28 lead after three quarters.

Oswego 58, Palatine 55: John Millin scored 15 points and Peter Bony added 13 for Palatine (5-7) in the consolation-bracket loss at the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.

Hersey splits at Pekin: A strong start eventually faded for Hersey as it lost its morning opener 62-42 to Normal West in the 46th annual Pekin Holiday Tournament.

The Huskies (6-6) came back to play the late game and beat LaSalle-Peru 55-48 as Tom Sutrinaitis scored a career-high 25 points on 12-for-13 shooting from the field and had 5 rebounds.

Justin Jobski added 12 points to put Hersey into today's 13th-place game at 12:30 p.m. against Freeport.

In the opener, the Huskies raced to a 20-10 lead after a quarter and were up 27-26 at halftime. But they were taken out of the game in a disastrous 23-4 third quarter.

Sean Reszotko had 12 points and Sutrinaitis added 11 for Hersey, which was just 7-for-20 on free throws.

Stagg 54, Leyden 37: Alex Herrera scored 11 points and hit three 3s for Leyden (3-8) in the 33rd annual Lemont Christmas Classic large-school consolation bracket loss. Ricky Montgomery added 8 points as the Eagles shot just 37 percent from the field, committed 18 turnovers and were outrebounded 27-20.