Bench boost helps Fremd past Dundee-Crown
The last name of a Fremd player, Dylan Simios, was corrected for this report.
Make no mistake, Fremd is a complete team — inside game, outside game, defense, rebounding.
And its bench. Especially its bench.
And boy, did the Vikings ever need it Monday afternoon at Wheeling in its 51-37 first-round win over Dundee-Crown at the Wildcat Hardwood Classic.
With its starting point guard (Zach Schoffstall) and back-up point guard (Kyle Sliwa) both in foul trouble, it looked like Fremd (9-2) had big problems against a Chargers squad causing it headaches with its quickness and tightening up a game that Fremd had been controlling.
“The bench really played well for us,” said Vikings coach Bob Widlowski. “The bench did a real nice job.”
Sliwa had initially relieved Schoffstall and immediately contributed a basket, two free throws and an assist on Payton Kim's buzzer-beater 3-pointer in the first quarter. But he picked up two quick fouls himself as the first half ended with Fremd having to rally back for a 25-24 lead.
However, Fremd used it height advantage to assert itself defensively in the second half. Even with Sliwa and Schoffstall each getting their third fouls by midway through the third quarter, 6-foot-7 forward Patrick Benka (14 points), also off the bench, showed his range with a pair of second-half 3-pointers. Sophomore center Brian Dompke had 5 third-quarter points, including a 3 the old-fashioned way inside, as Fremd opened up a 40-29 lead.
Reaching even deeper into his bench, Widlowski got production from Dylan Simios, who played like a veteran, driving right to the hoop upon entering the game and winding up with 2 free throws, which he converted.
D-C (2-7) could only manage 5 third-quarter points. Even offensive juggernaut Kiwaun Seals (17 points) couldn't shake free for a hoop and sharpshooter Sam Buckley (13 points) had his touches limited by Fremd's Xavier Williams.
D-C got deflated, coming up with only 1 point on a possession when it had 4 free throws and two good looks at the basket thanks to back-to-back personal and technical fouls on Fremd.
“We had a chance for 6 there and only got one,” said Dundee-Crown coach Lance Huber, but he saw other reasons for the loss. “We ran out of gas in the second half.”
As quick as D-C was, Fremd now is getting ready to play a Niles North team that is lightning-like in style.
“They run their system really well,” said Widlowski.