Decisive matchup between Fremd, Barrington at Lake Zurich

It's the rubber game, and one with lots of bounce.

The boys basketball teams from Barrington and Fremd will meet in the Class 4A sectional semifinals at Lake Zurich at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

At stake is a berth in the sectional final Friday - and also bragging rights for a pair of teams that split their prior two games this year.

"Fremd is a talented team, extremely disciplined and well-coached," Barrington coach Bryan Tucker said. "We felt fortunate to be able to get a split with them during the regular season. They really took it to us at their place, and were dealing with some adversity when we were able to squeak by them at our place."

Fremd coach Bob Widlowski said there will not be many secrets between the two teams.

"They are very familiar to us," Widlowski said. "They run their stuff real well. I think it will be a close game all the way through."

Both teams won on their home courts.

Fremd (17-11), which is seeded 10th in the Lake Zurich sectional, won 57-49 in early January. Barrington (23-5), which is seeded second, won the other matchup in mid-February 53-43.

Mid-Suburban West co-champion Barrington knocked off Palatine in the regional final 55-51 in overtime to advance. The Broncos, who have been led by all-area players Anthony Spann, Jack Reinhard and Jason Boock along with Jake Parsons, Mark Johnson and Justin Alperin, have won 11 of their last 12.

Fremd had limped into the state playoffs on a 4-game losing streak while playing without top scorer Bryce Hopkins, who injured his ankle. But with Hopkins still on crutches, Fremd knocked off host Buffalo Grove and third-seeded Stevenson on its way to a third consecutive regional title and fourth in the past five years.

"Their impressive win over an excellent Stevenson team sends the message that their adversity is a long way in the rearview mirror," Tucker said. "They have a lot of weapons that can beat you."

Those weapons include Ryan Martin, whose 3 with 2 seconds to play eliminated Stevenson. Isaiah Turner has picked up some of the scoring slack along with Luke Seidel, Will Schmeling, Jake Schoffstall, Elliot Kim, Dean Ganas and Greg Cano.

Fremd coach Bob Widlowski liked how his team faced adversity.

"I thought we put ourselves in a good spot and played very well in the regionals," Widlowski said. "The kids really came out with a great attitude on both ends of the floor at the regional."

Widlowski said that despite being on a neutral floor this time, it still should have a tremendous feel for both teams.

"In any sport, it is a great matchup," Widlwoski said. "We are looking forward to a great atmosphere in the sectional semifinal."

The Barrington-Fremd winner will meet the winner of Lake Zurich and Libertyville on Friday. Those teams play their matchup before Barrington-Fremd, at 6 p.m.