Libertyville powers past Fremd
Libertyville boys basketball coach Brent Mork stated in late November that he had a good team.
The Wildcats have become even better now that football players Ben Kimpler and Brandon Rule are getting big minutes.
Libertyville needed their strength and scoring ability to hold off Fremd 46-43 in Tuesday night's quarterfinal at Wheeling's 38th Hardwood Classic boys basketball tournament.
Kimpler, a 6 foot-5 senior, led the Wildcats (8-3) early, scoring 8 of his 12 points in the first quarter to establish inside dominance. Kimpler also had 6 rebounds.
Rule, a receiver during football season, scored 13 points off the bench. He scored two key baskets back-to-back in the fourth quarter to help the Wildcats build a 5 point lead 43-38 with 3:45 left in the game.
"I am pretty much back into basketball shape with my wind and shooting abilities," said Rule. "At times it was difficult going from basketball to football, but I'm there."
"They both bring different things to the game," said Mork. "Ben gave us a inside presence with his strength and rebounding abilities. Brandon brings both offense and defense. He brings competitiveness to the floor."
Kyle Sliwa gave Fremd (10-3) two leads early in the fourth quarter for a 36-35 lead, and the Vikings' last lead at 38-37 with 5:47 left in the game.
In making both baskets Sliwa (17 points) was fouled but missed the bonus attempts.
Drew Fortini's lone basket with 5:39 left in the game gave the Wildcats a 39-38 lead and put them ahead to stay.
Rule finished a 6-0 run by scoring underneath the basket and then followed up Drew Peterson's miss for a 43-38 lead.
"Coach wants me to rebound, and that play was a key to winning the game," said Rule. "We made some good enough defense plays to pull out the win."
The Wildcats gave Fremd several chances by missing two one-and-bonus situations with under a minute left leading 43-39.
Payton Kim scored for the Vikings with :26 left to cut the gap to 43-41.
Paul Steinhaus hit the front end of a one-and-bonus for the Wildcats to put Libertyville up 44-41. Two more missed free throws by Libertyville, and 2 made free throws by Sliwa with :07 left, made the score 44-43.
Jabari Quigley gave Libertyville a 46-43 lead with 2 free throws with :04 left.
Sliwa's 3-point attempt to tie the game just before the buzzer sounded banked off the rim and backboard.
"We just didn't do some of the little things we normally do to win games," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski. "We had some defensive breakdowns at key times."
"This was one of our better defensive efforts," said Mork. "Fremd really played good defense against us this was a big win for our team."
Libertyville will face Naperville Central, a 55-51 winner against Deerfield on Tuesday, in Wednesday's 8:45 p.m. semifinal.