Without Christie, Meadows falls to Prospect
Prospect's boys basketball team proved it was ready to perform Friday evening when the opening tip commenced its contest at Rolling Meadows as the Knights scored the game's first 10 points en route to building a lead that got as high as 20 in a 65-49 victory.
The win keeps the three-time defending Mid-Suburban League East Division champions alone in first place after the completion of the first round of divisional play at a perfect 5-0.
The night started off with a twist as Meadows' leading scorer Max Christie, one of the top sophomores in the country, would be a game-time scratch due to an injury that had the 6-foot-5 standout in street clothes.
That threw Prospect's pregame preparations off track according to Knights' coach John Camardella.
"We talked about us preparing all week to play a game with Max Christie," Camardella said. "It was a matter of refocusing our guys. We shot the ball really well. We shared the ball really well."
The Knights (9-8 overall) would accomplish this feat by going on a pair of 10-0 runs that left them ahead 23-8 a t the end of the first period as they went 9 of 15 (60 percent) from the floor and 5-for-11 from beyond the arc.
Senior guard Sam Murray's game-high 19 point, 10-rebound effort paced the way for the visitors as he was joined in double-figures by fellow senior teammates Ben Zellmer (16 points) and Jon Kreidler (15 points).
The 6-1 Murray scored 9 of those points during the decisive opening quarter of play.
"I just try to find openings and attack the basket always," Murray said.
As for his game-high performance on the boards, it played a key role in Prospect winning the rebound battle 42-25.
"Every time a shot's going up, I know to try and get extra possessions especially against a zone and try and get out and run," Murray said.
The host Mustangs (10-6, 3-2) would get no closer than 11 on a free throw from their leading scorer Javonte Warrener (17 points) that pulled them within 44-33 with 1:08 left in the third.
Junior reserve and Prospect transfer Jonah Ogunsaya added 13 for the Mustangs.
"We missed 14 free throws and we went down 28-8. That's where the game was lost," Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said.