Prospect nips Wheeling, clinches share of East
With his team trailing by 2 points and the clock winding down at Wheeling on Friday night, Prospect junior guard Kevin Kapka delivered the knockout punch.
Kapka fired home a 3-pointer that beat the buzzer and gave the Knights a come-from-behind 55-54 victory in the Mid-Suburban East.
It also gave Prospect at least a share of the East title.
Prospect improved to 13-8 and 7-1 in the East and owns a two-game lead with two to play.
The Wildcats (5-16, 1-7), who lost at Prospect by 41 points earlier in the season, led by double digits at one point in the third quarter.
“We’ve come such a long way,” said Wheeling first-year coach Tony Como. “I could not be prouder of the kids. They executed the game plan so remarkably.
“But I’ve got to give John (Camardella, Prospect coach) and his team credit. His team is mentally tough. They are resilient, talented, tough, big and they never give up. That’s how champions are and that’s the road we want to get on.”
Senior Devin O’Hara led the Knights with 16 points while Kapka and Bobby Frasco each chipped in 10.
Wheeling was led by Jeremy Stephani (19 points), Kameron Hill (11) and Nick Ricciardi (9).
“All the credit to Prospect,” Como added. “They fought back. At the same time, I am super proud of my kids. It was a great high school basketball game – the kind all kids want to be in.” Schaumburg 57, Hoffman Estates 35: Jimmy Lundquist (17 points), Kyle Bolger 11) and Cole Reyes (11) led the host Saxons (12-8, 6-2) in the MSL West.
Niles North 56, Maine West 54: Malachi Nix (20 points) helped Niles North (20-3, 8-0) clinch the Central Suburban North title.