Familiar foes Glassmann, Frasco meet in MSL title game

Fremd's Riley Glassmann and Prospect's Bobby Frasco were interchangeable parts last summer.

Now the pair have their own positions while guiding their respective high school teams to the Mid Suburban boys basketball title game Wednesday at Fremd.

Glassmann, who is averaging 17.8 points this year, and Frasco, who is 16.1, both played together on the same AAU team last summer.

Playing for Fundamental U, both Glassmann and Frasco shared the No. 2 or No. 3 spot. They helped lead the team, coached by Mike Weinstein, to the title game in the 17-and-under division in Las Vegas.

"We had a great time together," said Frasco, who has been named the MSL East player of the year. "And because of the experience we are good friends."

"It was great experience for both of us," said Glassmann, the MSL West's player of the year. "We blended well and played well together. He knows what I do. I know what he does."

The duo will have lots of eyes on them Wednesday as they match up for MSL boys basketball supremacy.

Glassmann, who is headed to Cornell next year, leads undefeated and MSL West champ Fremd into the title game for the first time in the last four years. It is an experience Glassmann has been looking forward to since his freshman year.

"It is going to be awesome," said Glassmann, who has been a starter for the Vikings for the past three years. "I really can't wait to play."

Neither can Frasco, who is undecided on his college choice at this time. Frasco helped lead the Knights into last's years MSL title game, a double overtime loss to Schaumburg.

"It was very disappointing last year," Frasco said. "It is our hope to turn things around. We are capable of beating anyone."

Prospect (15-10, 9-1), which has not played Fremd this year, will take its best shot at giving the Vikes their first loss of the season. But they know it won't be easy.

"They are good at everything," Prospect coach John Camardella said of Fremd. "They are the best team in MSL in a long time. Our kids are extremely excited to compete against an extremely talented Fremd team."

Prospect won seven of its MSL East games by 5 points or less. Besides Frasco, the Knights will lean on Danny Thomas, who is shooting 61 percent from the field, and junior point guard Kyle Beyak, who is averaging nearly 11 points. Kyle Formanski, Max Cahill and Ernest Kiseliovas have also been key contributors for the Knights.

"Our guys find ways to win games," Camardella said. "They really do believe they can win every game. That attitude has served us well.

"Our guys have seen a lot of different styles. And they have been able to adapt to each style."

Fremd (24-0) has also been able to adapt well. The Vikings are off to their best start in school history and are looking to win the MSL outright for the first time in four years.

"We have been very consistent and worked very hard this season," Fremd coach Bob Widlowski said. "The key has been the preparation in practice. They are very well focused and working hard day in and day out."

Along with Glassmann, the Vikings have looked to 6-foot-6 Ben Carlson, who will attend Indiana Wesleyan next year and is averaging 10.3 points. Another key has been 6-6 Matt Ochoa, who is averaging 10.2 points and 6 rebounds.

But the Vikings and Widlowski have great role players in Xavier Williams, Garrett Groot, Thomas Cordell, Pat Benka, Jalon Roundy and Conner Peters.

"Our senior leadership is focused on the next team and the next day," Widlowski said. "It really has been our experience that has been a factor here. Our kids have played a lot and seen a lot of looks this season. They have adapted to many different styles and have stayed consistent with our basic principles."