Wingba's shot gives Elk Grove share of MSL East lead

Fulton Wingba started slowly Friday night.

But the Elk Grove center finished with a game-winning tip-in with 1.8 seconds left as the Grens' boys basketball team rallied for a 51-50 win over Prospect.

Elk Grove (16-9, 7-2) pulled into a first-place tie in the Mid-Suburban East with the Knights (13-7, 7-2).

The final play started with 8.5 seconds left. If a lob to Wingba didn't materialize, the Grens knew where to go.

"It was originally for me," said Elk Grove forward Joe Gatziolis.

So Gatziolis (14 points) kept the ball and drove until he got cut off by Prospect's defense and put up a fadeaway jumper.

"I tried to make a move," Gatziolis said. "When I shot it, I thought it was going in."

When it didn't, and with Prospect's defense helping out on Gatziolis, Wingba got free for the tip off the backboard. After clearing the court of celebrating Elk Grove fans who thought the game had ended, Prospect could not get off a heave that would even come close.

After trailing the whole game, the come-from-behind win felt gratifying for a hard-working Grenadiers team.

"It's important for all of us," Gatziolis said. "We've been playing together since freshman year."

"Since third grade," said forward Bradley Hubly. "It's all indicative of how close knit this team is."

"We talked about playing loose and playing hard," said hoarse-voiced Elk Grove coach Anthony Furman.

With center Matt Szuba in foul trouble and forward Frankie Mack missing considerable second-half time after suffering a bleeding cut around his right eye, Prospect (13-8) was challenged.

"Give Elk Grove credit," said Knights coach John Camardella said. "We did not take care of the ball in the fourth quarter (during which Prospect committed an uncharacteristic 4 turnovers)."

Plus, the Knights only shot 2-for-6 at the foul line in the second half.

Somehow, though, the Knights maintained the lead.

Mack (11 points) paced the scoring until his mishap, but switching shorter and quicker Tyree Howard to him on defense definitely slowed him down. Knights junior Antonio Gardner (13 points) and sophomore David Swedura (6) helped pick up the pace and the bulk of the ballhandling.

But Wingba came alive in the fourth quarter, with 4 field goals, including the game-winner.

"All season long, I get going in the second half," he said.

Elk Grove needed him to.

"It was a key win for us," Wingba added. "We knew we needed to win this one."

"We have six seniors," Furman said. "We didn't panic."