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Prospect handles Libertyville

Prospect and Libertyville each came off tough emotional losses at the Joe Majkowski St. Viator boys basketball tournament in Arlington Heights Monday night.

The Prospect Knights came out with the quick start that carried over to a 59-45 win over Libertyville Tuesday night.

Sam Murray scored 11 of his team-high 15 points in the first quarter and center Jon Kreidler 8 of his 12 as the Knights (1-1) led 24-10 after the opening quarter.

"In the first quarter I was feeling it," said Murray. "I was thinking I had to put them up to help us get off to a good start. When Jon and I start out like this, it helps everyone else get comfortable."

The Knights hit for five 3-pointers in the first quarter on 9 of 15 shooting, which pulled the Wildcats (0-2) out of their zone.

"Prospect hit some big shots to start the game," said Libertyville coach Bryan Zyrkowski. "Tonight we started out a little slow. It all starts with the beginning of the game and it was not our best. Tonight we did not shoot well (14-for-37) and Prospect did a nice job being physical with our players. Yet, we were able to claw back to get within five points with one of their better players (Kreidler) on the bench."

Kreidler picked up his third and fourth fouls in rapid succession early in the third quarter with Prospect leading 32-19.

Ben Zellmer (15 points) scored 7 of his team's points in the quarter to keep Prospect ahead 42-30 after three quarters.

Libertyville, which had trailed 40-22 finished the quarter on an 8-2 run.

Two free throws by leading Wildcat guard Josh Steinhaus (13 points), was followed by a trey and 2 free throws by Patrick Graham that cut the lead to 42-37 with 6:24 left in the game.

Kreidler came back in and Prospect went on a 9-0 run over the next 2:42 to put the game away, leading 51-37.

"When I came back in the game and we made the run," said Kreidler, "that was big for us. When we started the game off with that fast start it just helped push us through the whole game. Tonight our bench came in and played really well."

Ben Miller scored 7 of his 10 points in the fourth quarter for the Knights.

"I can't tell you how important Miller played for us," said Prospect coach John Camardella. "Jon is such a big part of our team and all the players in the locker room are learning their roles. Today was learning how to play when momentum in and not in your favor."

"Jon is such a presence inside for us," said Murray. "When he came back in the game he was able to help us space out the floor and we were able to get people open. Everyone played their game."

The Knights connected on 47 percent of their shots on 20 of 42 from the field.

Libertyville was perfect from the free throw line hitting all 14 attempts.

Prospect will face the host Lions Wednesday at 7 p.m. and the Wildcats take on Evanston in the opener at 5:30 p.m.

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