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Hersey happier with this finish at Rolling Meadows

With a pair of recent losses by a basket, Hersey boys basketball coach Steve Messer has been concerned about how his team was finishing games.

Messer had to worry a bit again Saturday as his Huskies watched a 16-point lead nearly evaporate in the final five minutes. But Hersey may have learned by its earlier losses and forced 3 turnovers down the stretch for a 69-61 victory over host Rolling Meadows in Mid-Suburban East play.

"I think we are still working to overcome pressure situations and finishing off a game," Messer said. "We had some trouble with their attack-mode at the end. But we were able to hang on tonight."

After an 8-0 run late in the first quarter and early in the second, Hersey (7-10, 3-2) lead 19-9. The Huskies never let the lead slip below 7 points, which was the margin at the half when they took a 30-23 lead at the break.

But even when Hersey scored the first 5 points of the second half, Rolling Meadows ( 3-13, 1-4) just wouldn't go away. The Mustangs managed to get the game down to 10 points on numerous occasions but couldn't get over the hump.

Led by Kevin Starr, who finished with 18 points, and Mark Milligan, who finished with 16, Hersey extended its lead to 57-41 with 5:05 to play on a 3-point play by Starr.

"We were able to create some easy shots thanks to our rebounding," Starr said. "When you are working together and getting rebounds and layup it becomes fun out there."

But that fun soon ended as Meadows went on the attack.

With Jared Murphy, who finished with 24 points and Marco Taibi, who scored all if his 10 points in the final period, sparking the Mustangs, they cut into the Hersey lead.

The Mustangs got some help from Hersey when the Huskies fouled Murphy and Taibi on consecutive possessions while the pair were attempting 3-point shots. The duo each canned all 3 free throws as Meadows closed to 63-58 with 2:16 to play.

Two consecutive turnovers by Meadows helped Hersey extend the lead to 65-58 before the Mustangs made a final run. Taibi converted a basket and later a free throw to make it 65-61 with 23.9 seconds to play.

Hersey broke Meadows' trapping defense and Starr but an uncontested layup to make it 67-61. And after a final Meadows turnover, Milligan canned a pair of free throws to close out the game.

"I was able to get my offense going early and that helped," Milligan said. "It gets my confidence up for the rest of the game."

Messer thought his team played good defense in spurts.

"I liked our defense for about three-fourths of the game," Messer said. "But I think if we get a little better defensively it will smooth itself out."

Zach Cooper had 12 points for Hersey while Joe Coffaro had 8 points and Ken Hasley had 6 points. Mateusz Wojcik had 14 points for Rolling Meadows and James Schoessling chipped in 9 points.

"It has been our story lately," Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said. "We dig ourselves a hole early then try to climb out. I wish we would start like that.

Images: Hersey at Rolling Meadows boys basketball

  Hersey's Eddy Mieko, top, battles Rolling Meadow's Marco Taibi for a loose ball during boys basketball action in Rolling Meadows as Hersey's Michael Lelito (23) also gets in on the play. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Rolling Meadow's John Lothery, right, drives past Hersey's Zach Cooper during boys basketball action in Rolling Meadows. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
  Rolling Meadow's Liam Brigham, left, battles for a rebound with Hersey's Zach Cooper, right, during boys basketball action in Rolling Meadows. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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