Boys basketball: Scouting Barrington at Hersey, MSL title game

It will have the usual look and feel, but there will also plenty new about the Mid-Suburban League boys basketball championship game on Wednesday.

Barrington and Hersey square off at 7:30 p.m. at Hersey in Arlington Heights to determine the overall conference champion. But it is really unfamiliar territory for both teams.

Barrington (21-6, 9-1), which is the West representative, is making its first trip to the finals in the last four years. It is the Broncos' second appearance in the last 22 years.

Hersey's drought has been a bit longer. The Huskies (17-8, 9-1) have not appeared in the final game since 2006.

Even though the teams have not been on the conference's big stage in recent years, they are both ready for the battle on Wednesday.

"It has been a while," said Hersey coach Steve Messer, who was the head coach at Elk Grove when the Huskies beat Schaumburg for the title. "It will be a fun atmosphere, having the game at our place. We are really looking forward to it."

The Huskies have been playing well of late after a 5-6 start. Hersey has won 6 of its last 7 games and 12 of its last 14 while cruising to the East title.

"The hardest thing to do is go through the 10-game division," Messer said. "Teams are so well coached and prepared for each other. In the end, the one thing our team has done is that their focus is all on the same page. Our teamwork has been very good."

The main reason for that is the play of point guard Max Heeren. A three-year starter, Heeren can score, but also knows how to dish the ball and get other players involved in the offense.

With Heeren opening up the floor, players like Payton Haas, who is averaging 14 points per game, Joe Coffaro (10.5 ppg) and Zak Cooper (9 ppg) get to the basket well. Cole Monckton, Mike Lelito and Josh Mailloux also figure prominently in Hersey's scheme.

Barrington and coach Bryan Tucker, who lost to Prospect four years ago in the league championship matchup, is looking forward to a return trip to the title game.

"It is great to be back in the title game," said Tucker, who was in his second year as Broncos coach when they last played in the championship.

"When you start the season, everyone is dreaming to be playing in this game. We got some breaks and things went our way."

Barrington was on a roll until the last week in January.

Up to that point, the Broncos had won 13 straight. But losses to Conant and Palatine slowed the stampede.

Barrington turned things around to win its last 6 games. But the injury bug has hit them hard over the last week, with Ethan Small out with a broken foot, Ben Weber sidelined after his appendix was removed last week and Will Reinhard questionable for Wednesday with an ankle injury.

"We preach all the time it is a team effort," Tucker said. "You have to be ready to go when you are called."

Rapolas Ivanuaskas has been answering that call all season for the Broncos. The 6-foot-9 Ivaunskas, who many have ranked as the top junior in the state, has been coming into his own the last few weeks. And with the game on the line last Friday, he made a huge statement, scoring 17 points of his 21 points in the fourth quarter.

Ivanauskas has been getting nice help from Chris Lester, who has also been garnering college attention. Scott Bennett has picked up some of the scoring slack while Matt McAndrews, Tristen Becker and Jake Orr have made key contributions.

With the size advantage clearly in Barrington's favor, Hersey will most likely try to get the ball up and down the court quickly.

"We are up-tempo, but we can work the ball well," Messer said. "We have very balanced scoring, and that is our strength."

Tucker said he will try to adjust without some of his players.

"We are missing some bullets," said Tucker, "so we will see what we can do."

The two teams, who did not meet in the regular season, could get another opportunity to play as part of the upcoming Rolling Meadows sectional.

Barrington is the top seed, while Hersey is No. 6 and begins with regional play at Cary-Grove. Should the teams their first three postseason games, they'd meet against for a sectional title.