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Hersey comes up big against Prospect

A big court turned into a big win for Hersey's boys basketball team Saturday afternoon in Arlington Heights.

Playing on the college-size court of Robert Morris University at the old Forest View High School, the Huskies were able to use their speed to spread the court against Prospect and turn it into a convincing 69-54 victory in the Centennial Classic, sponsored by District 214.

"The big court really helped us," said Hersey coach Steve Messer of the college court, which is 10 feet longer than a high school basketball court. "We were able to break away from their double teams and turn them into some easy baskets."

The victory gave Hersey (13-8, 7-1) a bit of revenge for its only conference loss this season, which came to Prospect back on Dec. 5. It also moved the Huskies within one game of clinching the MSL East.

"We played a very good first half defensively," Messer said. "We made things difficult for them, especially on their dribble-penetration."

When District 214 announced that all of its schools would play at the old Forest View High School for a celebration of the District's 100-year anniversary, it gave all of its teams an opportunity to have a practice there. Max Heeren credited that with having his team ready to play.

"It was a long court, but we were ready for it," said Heeren, who finished with 12 points and 6 assists. "We had a practice here about a month ago and we had a feel for the court. It really gave us an advantage when they tried to trap us."

Hersey used that advantage to get to the basket for easy layups. That, plus a stifling defense in the first quarter that forced 5 turnovers, had the Huskies racing to an 18-4 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

"I liked this court better than playing on our court actually," said Hersey's Payton Haas, who finished with 11 points. "I think it makes for a better game. We are an undersized team, but we use our speed real well."

Prospect continued to use that speed to keep Prospect at bay. The Huskies opened up a 32-11 advantage just before the break and led 32-14 at the half.

"Max (Heeren) did a great job of getting to the hoop and opening up the floor for us," said Hersey's Zak Cooper, who finished with 14 points. "We are really beginning to mesh together as a team and have just played a lot better. It is not a one-man show. Everyone is scoring a lot."

Joe Coffaro also got into the scoring streak for the Huskies, finishing with 11 points to give the Huskies four players in double figures as 10 different players tallied.

Prospect (10-9, 4-4), which because of the schedule change, was headed off immediately after the game to travel to LaGrange for a game against Lyons. Despite that, the Knights didn't throw in the towel.

Led by the hot-shooting by Kyle Beyak, who finished with 19 points, Prospect got as close as 12 points late in the fourth quarter. But the early deficit was just too much to overcome.

"We came out flat," Prospect coach John Camardella said. "I was extremely impressed on how locked in and focused Hersey was. They took us out of a lot of early stuff that we like to run.

"I thought our guys played well in the second half. It was just too much to overcome."

Images: Prospect vs. Hersey, boys basketball

George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.comHersey guard Payton Haas shoots with Prospect defenders trailing at the District 214 Centennial Classic at Forest View Educational Center on Saturday in Arlington Heights.
George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.comHersey forward Zak Cooper shoots with a host of Prospect defenders behind him at the District 214 Centennial Classic at Forest View Educational Center on Saturday in Arlington Heights.
George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.comProspect guard Kyle Beyak is caught between Hersey defenders Joe Coffaro, left, and Josh Mailloux at the District 214 Centennial Classic at Forest View Educational Center on Saturday in Arlington Heights.
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