This time, Fremd takes command

Three weeks ago, it took a last-second 3-pointer from Fremd junior guard Payton Kim to lift the Vikings to a 52-51 victory over the visiting Schaumburg Saxons.

In the sequel, there would be no need for late-game heroics.

Fremd used a mammoth second-half surge on Friday to get past host Schaumburg 59-44 in Mid-Suburban West boys basketball.

Led by pinpoint accuray from senior guard Zach Schoffstall (13 points) from beyond the arc (3-for-5) and big contributions from sophomore Kyle Sliwa (15 points) off the bench, the Vikings (14-4, 4-3) erased a 24-18 halftime deficit and outscored the Saxons (8-15, 3-4) 41-20 after the break.

"We came in thinking that we already had the win and just didn't play well in the first half," said Schoffstall. "But then we started moving the ball and playing together in the second half."

Coming off a recent loss to Conant - a setback in which the Vikings managed just 9 first-half points - Fremd got off to another sluggish start against Schaumburg, committing 11 turnovers in the first half.

Meanwhile, the Saxons capitalized on those Vikings miscues and held a 22-14 lead with three minutes left until the half, thanks largely in part to 9 point from Schaumburg senior forward Brendan Parker, who finished with 13.

Following two technical free throws by junior guard Jason Schoo (9 points) that gave Schaumburg a 24-14 lead with 2:15 left, Fremd coach Bob Widlowski called a timeout to help his team regain its composure.

And what he stressed during that timeout and during halftime seemed to elicit quite a response from his players.

"We had a very positive discussion at the half about sharing the ball the way we do in practice," said Widlowski. "In the second half, we moved the ball well, made the extra pass and limited our turnovers … and that was the difference."

The Vikings looked like a different animal in the second half as it outscored the Saxons 18-7 in the third quarter. Schoffstall gave Fremd its first lead since midway through the first quarter when he scorched a triple to put the Vikings in the lead for good at 28-26 with 4:15 left.

Nursing a 36-31 lead heading into the final period, it was Schoffstall again who gave his team some added breathing room, nailing his third triple of the evening to put the team up 39-31. From there, it was smooth sailing.

"That third quarter was big when we held them to 7 points," said Widlowski. "The guys came out with a positive attitude, came out ready to play and executed."

For Schaumburg, it was another loss that may have some wondering what the team could accomplish if it were to put two complete halves together.

"We played disciplined on the offensive and defensive ends in the first half," said Schaumburg coach Marty Manning. "But in the second half, we struggled to deal with adversity and Fremd executed their game plan by knocking down shots."