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Poised Prospect withstands Fremd charge to hand Vikings their first loss

Prospect senior guard Kyle Beyak wasted no time when asked the key to his team handing Fremd its first loss in Saturday's night's Mid-Suburban League boys basketball crossover match at the Jean Walker Field House in Mount Prospect.

"The key was definitely Friday night at Hersey," said Beyak, referring to the Knights' 53-37 win in Arlington Heights that broke a three-game losing streak. "That gave us the momentum and a lot of confidence for this game."

The Knights showed that confidence especially at the end Saturday, as Fremd recovered from a 16-point deficit to close to within 3 points early in the fourth quarter.

But the poised Knights held their ground and left with a 59-49 triumph that evened their record at 3-3.

"We didn't like beginning 1-3 and knew we had to do something different," said Beyak, who led Prospect with 13 points and 4 assists. "We had a lot of close losses at the St. Viator tourney (where the Knights went 1-3). It was a tough week.

"Coach (John Camardella) put a new mentality into our heads and we came back with a new attitude and focus."

After senior Ernest Kiseliovas' 3-pointer gave the Knights a 40-24 cushion with 5:28 left in the third quarter, Fremd (5-1) made its charge and got to within 43-40 on a bucket by sophomore Kyle Sliwa less than minute into the fourth quarter.

But the Knights responded as senior Kyle Formanski (10 points, 7 rebounds) hit a 6-footer in the lane and Kiseliovas (11 points, 4 rebounds) hit a 16-footer to go back up by 7.

Fremd never got closer than 6 points.

"We knew they were going to come at us," said Camardella about the Vikings' rally. "It was just a matter of time. But I was glad our kids were able to withstand. "I'm extremely proud of the maturity they displayed this weekend.

"We are really looking forward to getting back at practice on Monday."

Nine different Knights scored, including seniors Grant Miller (7 points) and Peter Fusilero (6), who hit a pair of key 3-pointers.

"A lot of guys caught fire," said Beyak, who also had a 3-pointer along with two by Formanski and another by sophomore Frankie Mack.

The Vikings caught fire with 4 steals in a span of four minutes in the third quarter, including a swipe and layup by junior Payton Kim (6 points). Leading the Vikings were senior Xavier Williams (16 points), sophomore Brian Dompke (15) and senior Zach Schoffstall (10).

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