Raupp, Prospect find another 'W'

Thank goodness for John Raupp.

That's what Prospect's boys varsity basketball coaches and players are saying in unison after Friday night's 62-46 Mid-Suburban East win over Rolling Meadows at the Jean Walker Fieldhouse.

Raupp scored only 3 points and had just a few rebounds. But with his team in a bit foul trouble, he exemplified what coach John Camardella is depending on from his entire roster.

"We have guys ready to play," Camardella said.

It was Raupp who rebounded a missed a free throw and fed point guard David Swedura for a 3-pointer. And it was Raupp, with Rolling Meadows effectively pressing the Knights (16-4, 6-1) and gnawing into their lead, who hit a step-back 3 of his own to quell the Mustangs (10-10, 3-4).

"That was key for us," said high-scorer Frankie Mack (18 points), who, despite an uncharacteristic off night from the floor, scored his 1,000th career point on a free throw with 3:54 left in the fourth quarter.

The result puts Prospect out in front of the MSL East race, with Hersey 1 game back after falling Friday against Buffalo Grove.

In something of a bizarre game in which neither team could muster much from the floor, Prospect hit 26 of 35 free throws - including 4 straight technicals in the third quarter by Mack, after which Meadows never got within single digits again.

Prospect's defense and rebounding came to the rescue, though.

Center Matt Szuba had 16 boards and it was rare that Meadows got a second-shot opportunity. The Knights also forced 20 turnovers out of the Mustangs, or four more than they had field goals.

"Turnovers hurt us," said Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich. "You've got to give Prospect a lot of credit, but we missed a ton of shots."

Katovich still was still pleased with his own team's effort, saying his player "never gave up. That's a credit to our seniors."

Especially Jared Murphy. The three-year starter scored 23 points on a combination of his patented, unstoppable swirling jumpers, a pair of 3-pointers and what few putbacks Meadows had. And while Justin Thompson and Ryan Carney came off the bench to support him, the Mustangs were outrebounded by double digits.

"He's a remarkable talent," Camardella said in praise of Murphy.

But, as usual, Prospect, which has won 7 in a row and 12 of 13, just found another way to win.

Swedura (17 points) carried the Knights on offense through the first half, with help from Antonio Gardner and Grant Whitebloom off the bench. Mack picked it up in the second half, scoring 13 of his 18.

And, of course, then there was Raupp.

"Overall," said Camaradella, "the guys just keep finding ways to win."