Prospect gets back to playing, winning
One could not fault the Prospect boys basketball team if it was a little nervous hosting Wheeling in the Mid-Suburban East Friday night.
The Knights had not played a game in the Jean Walker Field House in 346 days. Prospect also had not played at all in 10 days since beating Elk Grove, due to COVID-19 protocols.
Prospect, which trailed 17-9 after the first quarter, rallied in the second half to top Wheeling 56-40. The Knights improved to 2-1 and 2-0 in conference play. Wheeling fell to 0-5 playing all conference games.
"The emotions of playing back in our own gym were high," said Prospect coach John Camardella. "I'm proud of them. They rallied to win the game."
Two stalwarts from last year's club, senior Chase Larsen and junior Owen Schneider, helped turn the tide for Prospect.
Larsen, who sat most of the first half with three fouls, scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Schneider scored 16 points and had 4 assists.
"Our energy level was slow to start," said Larsen. "But we shaved down their lead and were tied at halftime. I was frustrated in the first half with the foul trouble. I could feel a burning in my chest. I just had to channel that feeling and turn it into something positive."
Wheeling led 17-9 after the first quarter thanks in part to three 3-pointers by Jaden Terrell, who finished with 11 points.
Prospect committed 5 turnovers in a shaky first quarter.
Wheeling's last lead came at 3:11 of the third quarter, 32-28, on Elijah Hutchinson's free throw.
Larsen connected on a 3-pointer that was followed by Schneider's layup to give Prospect a 33-32 lead at the end of the quarter.
Larsen scored three baskets, Marco Shaw hit for a two 3s and Schneider a basket during a 14-3 run that gave the Knights a 47-35 lead with 4:15 left in the game.
"What can I say about Schneider," said Larsen. "He has worked so hard. I've seen him grow as a player and as a person. He has become more vocal and a leader. Sometimes you don't see that in a younger player."
Larsen got us going in the third quarter," said Camardella. "Schneider is picking up where he left off last season. They did things that guys who have that experience should do."
"We hit a little bit of a lull in the third quarter," said Wheeling coach Tom Antosz. "Prospect began to extend their lead and then extended our offense. Then we had to play catch-up. Both teams played hard. It was an intense game."
Wheeling was led by standout Solomon Hudson, who scored 19 points and had 5 rebounds.
"Hudson gave us a lot of trouble," said Camardella. "He was tough on us."
Gary Moeller came off the bench to spell Larsen in the first half and scored all 9 of his points for the Knights. Shaw added 8 points.