Prospect takes care of business vs. Buffalo Grove
Prospect's boys basketball team showed a very workmanlike demeanor Friday night against visiting Buffalo Grove.
The Knights broke out to 15-4 lead in the game's first 5:30 and went on to a 67-46 win over the Bison.
"We all stepped up for this game," said senior guard Tim Lussenhop of Prospect. "We knew they had some good players on their team, and our goal was to take them out of their game plan early. It all started with defense."
Indeed.
Prospect (15-4, 7-0 Mid-Suburban East) used 6 Bison turnovers in the first quarter and converted them into 9 points.
Center Jon Kreidler scored 11 of his career-high 18 points in the first quarter to lead the charge. Johnny Czeslawski scored 13 points and the ever reliable David Swedura scored 11 points to go with 5 steals.
"We have really jelled together as a team," said Lussenhop. "We have a strong eight-man rotation. Everyone accepts their role on this team during the game and we all make a impact some way.
"It's nice to be in the position we're in, in the conference. We have to just take each game as it comes."
Knights coach John Camardella sees and appreciates the intangibles, aptly demonstrated by Lussenhop.
"Against Glenbrook South on Tuesday night, Tim didn't score," said Camardella. "But he had 7 points and 7 rebounds. That was his contribution. Tonight he scored 9 points and had 7 assists. That is what this team does.
"As coaches, Brad (Rathe) and I have 50 percent of the accountability. The players have the other 50 percent, to do what we teach them in practice. This team operates in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We had 9 assists in the first half. It doesn't matter to anyone on this team who scores. No one demands shots. We've been successful because we have learned how to adjust to teams' defenses."
The Knights maintained a double-digit lead most of the way against the Bison (12-9, 3-4). Prospect led 35-23 at the halftime break.
Buffalo Grove pulled within 39-30 with 4:50 left in the third quarter on a basket from Tom Trieb (8 points, 9 rebounds) basket. The Knights, though, finished off the quarter with a 16-6 run sparked by two sizzling 3s by Czeslawski for a 55-36 lead.
"I thought that run we had late in the quarter was vital," said Camardella. "With the run, were were able to create some separation."
Mac Camardo led the Buffalo Grove with 13 points, Caleb Mayhorn added 9 and Jack Vaselaney netted 7 points.
The Bison may have lost Mayhorn for a 7-10 day period with a twisted left ankle. Zach Fricke, who was out with a stress fracture, may return next week.
"I told the players in the locker room that we have to get over this bump in the road we have had the last few games," said Buffalo Grove coach Keith Peterson. "We still have a few weeks to go in the season before the playoffs start to get our rhythm back. "I didn't like the way we started, with low energy. We had a good week of practice. We have to play with passion to the fullest."