Fremd secures spot in MSL title game
Fremd's 54-39 win over Barrington in Palatine on Friday night probably wasn't the most artistic of wins for the now 21-0 Vikings.
It was good enough, however, to paint Fremd in Mid-Suburban League championship game picture.
"This win means a lot to us," said senior Brian Dompke a three-year varsity performer. "It's a goal that we wanted, and we check this one off our list. We're playing well and are ready for whatever a team throws at us."
"I told the kids how proud I am of them," said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski. "Proud of their effort and proud of their execution this season. The division championship is well deserved. It wasn't easy but, they earned it."
The Vikings improved to 8-0 in the MSL West and hold a 2-game lead over Conant with 2 divisional games left. Even in Conant wins its final two games and Fremd loses twice, the Vikings would still represent the West in the MSL title game since they have beaten Conant twice already.
Against Barrington, Fremd broke out to a 14-2 lead after the first quarter.
Kyle Sliwa, another three-year varsity player, and Luke Schoffstall both scored 5 points in the first quarter. Sliwa finished with 17 and Schoffstall 10.
The Broncos (14-8, 2-6) were shaky early, turning the ball over 6 times in the first quarter as Fremd converted 6 points off the miscues. Fremd finished with 12 points off of 17 turnovers, while Barrington did not capitalize on Fremd's 9 turnovers.
Fremd opened up a 22-6 lead with 3:47 left in the second quarter following Shaan Patel's basket.
While Barrington trailed 25-10 at halftime, the momentum was starting to shift.
"In the first quarter we had a lapse," said Broncos guard Anthony Spann, who led Barrington with 11 points. "The last three quarters of the game we began to execute better, looking for the open man and making our shots. Coach tells us we have to be ready to play all 32 minutes."
Spann scored 6 points in the third quarter and Jack Reinhard (8 points) scored 4. Barrington trailed 32-20 before Sliwa took the momentum away with a 3 and 2 free throws for a 37-20 lead with 2:26 left in the quarter.
Fremd took a 39-25 lead into the final eight minutes.
Bart Susol, who finished with 10 points, scored 7 points early in the quarter to help Barrington keep pace with the Vikings.
Fremd didn't help itself by missing 7 of 14 free throws. Barrington got within 48-38 with 2:11 left following Reinhard's 2 free throws.
Patel, Schoffstall, and Sliwa went a combined 6 of 6 at the foul line in the last 2:08 to secure the win.
"We made the free throws down the stretch when we needed them," said Widlowski.
Fremd hit 19 of 29 free throws for the game, in stark contrast to Barrington's 5 of 7.
"We've learned that every game is important," said Sliwa. "We have to come and play hard every game. To win this championship feels great. We want to finish off the conference with our last two wins and the win the MSL title.
"I give Barrington credit," said Sliwa. "After that first quarter, they came to play."