Prospect upends Schaumburg for MSL title

Playing with caution is not Prospect's style.

So, when junior guard Joe LaTulip got the ball after a defensive rebound with less than a minute to play in overtime, this was no time to hold back with the Knights tied with visiting Schaumburg in the 39th annual Mid-Suburban League boys basketball championship game.

LaTulip raced up the floor as more than 3,000 in Jean Walker Field House waited for the next twist in a drama-filled 36 minutes Wednesday.

He found 6-foot-7 senior Kevin Reed for a layup and 3-point play with 47 seconds to play. The quick transition play was a fitting end to one under second-year coach John Camardella as the Knights ended a 23-year MSL title drought with a 61-57 victory.

"It's a great feeling," said LaTulip, who had a game-high 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting and 3-for-6 on 3-pointers. "It's unreal and they (Schaumburg) are a great team.

"Who would've thought it would happen this quick (under Camardella). It's a great feeling. Amazing."

Prospect (19-6) won an MSL record seventh title game and avenged a 63-50 loss on Jan. 6 at Schaumburg (20-6). Reed missed his first 5 shots but hit his last six and scored 8 of his 14 points in overtime.

And Reed, who sealed the Knights' first title since 1986 on a free throw with two seconds left, was ready for the biggest finish of his career.

"Joe's fast," Reed said as he clutched the net in the postgame celebration. "Usually when he gets past a guy he gets an assist, gets fouled or gets a layup."

The Knights ended up with all three as they never trailed in the game's final 7:16.

"Like all year, we're a running team," LaTulip said. "I know if I go out I'll have two guys on the sides at all times.

"Reed had a humongous second half, which we needed big time."

LaTulip carried the first half with 14 points as the Knights used a 15-2 tear to lead 24-18.

"Joe's performance was heroic," Camardella said. "From that position, out of the pressure he was under the whole game, I'm so proud of him and the rest of the guys."

A Jason Leblebijian (15 points) layup gave Prospect its biggest lead at 35-26.

"The stuff out of transition, we really haven't given up a whole lot this year," said Schaumburg coach Bob Williams.

"We kind of let down on defense and that's not what we normally do," said Schaumburg senior Josh Spandiary, who scored 13 points and hit three 3s. "They got easy looks and we don't do that."

Schaumburg picked up its defense in an 18-6 tear and took a 44-41 lead with 5:46 left in regulation on Perrish Bell's 3-point play off a steal.

"We knew they were going to fight back into the game," said Prospect 6-1 junior Jack Redding, who had 16 rebounds and 7 points. "We just had to dig in on defense and get extra looks on offense."

Reed backed in for a short turnaround with 52 seconds left in regulation. But Blake Mueller (13 points, 11 rebounds) scored off his own miss with 30 seconds left to force overtime at 51-51.

Reed scored off a third effort and Leblebijian had a layup to start overtime. Spandiary and Mueller hit 3s to tie it at 57-57 with 1:43 left.

Spandiary said he "felt a little rushed but it looked good to me" when his tying 3 try from the right wing with four seconds left was just a touch long off the rim.

"I'm so happy these kids got to go out as champs," Camardella said. "But I hope they realize they're not done yet."