Hoffman snaps losing streak at Schaumburg
Hoffman Estates' boys basketball team used its rivalry game with Schaumburg to snap a three-game losing streak on Friday night.
The visiting Hawks posted a 53-40 win led by senior James Allen (10 points, 11 rebounds), senior Marshall Davis (game-high 13 points) and junior Marquez Woodard (11 points).
"Our biggest rival is Hoffman basketball," said Hoffman Estates coach Luke Yanule. "We've lost four games this year by 5 points or less. I was happy with the decisions we made. We controlled the glass and didn't give up any dead points. You should be able to win the game by controlling at least two out of the three - free throws, rebounds and turnovers."
Hoffman did just that, winning the rebound battle 28-14 and recording 12 points at the foul line, compared to the Saxons' 3.
After falling to an early but manageable 13-10 deficit in the first quarter, Schaumburg retaliated in the second quarter.
The Saxons pieced together an 11-0 run led by senior point guard Dom Tyler (9 points).
Hoffman Estates (4-5, 1-2) responded with an 8-0 run late in the second quarter. The Hawks nursed a 24-20 lead at half.
"We came in prepared," Allen said. "(Yanule) said it was going to be loud coming in. Our team has an emphasis of being a senior-led team. No words can describe how great this 'W' means for us. Sometimes you just got to finish."
The Hawks held the Saxons to just 8 points in the third quarter, and the momentum shifted as Allen connected on a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter with his team leading 37-28.
Schaumburg saw numerous opportunities in the paint but just couldn't capitalize. The Saxons' shooting woes continued throughout the second half, as they suffered through two three-minute scoring droughts, one in the third and one in the fourth quarter.
The Saxons also went 3-for-10 from the free throw line.
"They defended well on the glass, but we just missed some shots that we had to make," said Schaumburg coach Wade Heisler. "When you let (Hoffman) get second, third and fourth-chance points, eventually it's going to hurt.
"We need to continue with consistency, and making shots helps. When you have the combination of missed shots and no consistency, it can be deflating. We have kids that have fight in them and want to get better. We just have to get back to work."
As Schaumburg scrambled to climb out of the deficit, Hoffman continued to hit free throws.
"We knew what we had to do," Davis said. "We had our ups and downs but we found a way to recollect and settle back in. If you look at our games, we've never been blown out. We just need to get back in and continue the pace."
Hoffman Estates hosts Palatine next Friday, while the Saxons (3-8, 0-3) host Fremd.