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Schaumburg tops Palatine, returns to .500

In addition to trying to get back to even in Mid-Suburban West boys basketball, both Palatine and Schaumburg were also trying to get at different points to begin the second half of their respective seasons.

The visiting Pirates were attempting to get at full strength as seven members of their squad were also part of the football program's recent run to the Class 8A state semifinals, which ended just a couple of days before basketball season began.

The Saxons, meanwhile, were hoping for a fifth time this season to get back to the .500 mark overall.

Thanks to some late defensive handiwork and succesfully connecting from the foul line on their final 7 attempts, Schaumburg was able to erase a 3 point deficit in the final 49 seconds to secure a 56-52 win in Schaumburg Friday night.

"We spend a majority of our practices working on both defensive fundamentals as well as free throws," Schaumburg coach Wade Heisler said. "Especially when you consider we missed 5 of our first 7. It, along with our defense, can get you through sometimes when you face a well-coached, athletic team like Palatine."

Both phases of the game eventually were strong points for the Saxons (7-7, 2-2).

But Schaumburg trailed Palatine when 5-11 junior guard Jake Moertl (11 points) connected on his third triple of the evening giving the Pirates (3-11, 1-3) their only lead of the game. It lasted only 15 seconds as Schaumburg senior forward Kameron Powell corraled a missed 3-point attempt by Brandon Barber and turned it into a game-tying 3-point play, as Powell was fouled in the process.

Then Powell, a 6-foot-2, three-year varsity player, followed up with the game-changing play as he picked off a Pirates pass and was fouled while attempting to drive the lane. He converted both free throws to put the hosts in front for good at 54-52 with 5 seconds left.

Sophomore guard Heze Trotter sealed the deal with a steal of Palatine's next inbounds pass, and Trotter eventually made 2 free throws for the game's final points.

"I'd been having a rough night," said Powell, "but thanks to my teammates picking me up, we felt good about our chances even after that 3 (by Moertl) put them ahead.

"Our crowd tonight helped us big time. They got really rowdy at the right time because we were able to force them into making some bad throws as they ran the risk of getting called for a 5-second call. Our coaches during our last timeout reminded us to fully anticipate that, and to be prepared to switch our assignments in coverage."

Aaron Kline, another third-year varsity player, led all scorers with 20 points. The senior guard scored all 16 of Schaumburg's first-quarter points.

Palatine, which opens up play in the Lake Zurich MLK tournament with a Saturday afternoon opening-round matchup at Vernon Hills (2:30 p.m. tip) before an MSL crossover road game at Hersey on Tuesday evening, was led in scoring by 6-3 juniors Cortez Hogans (16 point, 6 rebounds) and Johnny O'Shea who matched Moertl's 11 while adding 7 boards and 5 assists.

Heisler, whose squad has a Tuesday night MSL crossover trip to Rolling Meadows, says his team's chemistry has become its biggest strength.

"Our guys are well aware of the height challenge we face (no Schaumbrg player is taller than 6-2)," Heisler said. "But that has made them work harder. Due to that fact, we've started to see our guys step up to face that challenge. As a result, it has brought our team closer."

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