Fremd topples Barrington to stay atop MSL West

As round two of Mid-Suburban League boys basketball divisional play commenced Friday evening, the MSL's West Division had its top three teams (Fremd, Schaumburg, and Conant) within a game of one another with Barrington two games behind of the co-leading Vikings and Saxons.

Thanks to a decisive second quarter, host Fremd kept its first-place pace with a 74-54 home win over the visiting Broncos to remain alongside Schaumburg at 5-1 in the West.

The Saxons posted a 57-49 home win over Palatine shortly after Fremd's win went final.

"That was a team effort, a complete team effort all the way around," Fremd coach Bob Widlowski said.

"We played defense as a team, we ran our offense as a team."

It was definitive from the get-go as Widlowski's squad in conjunction with Fremd honored him with a signed basketball prior to the opening tip commemorating his 300th win, which he earned just over three weeks ago in an opening-round victory over Libertyville at the Wheeling Hardwood Classic December 26.

That team (14-4 overall) which paid homage to their head coach in signing that basketball went on a 17-7 tear over the final 6:12 of the first half that broke open a tight contest which the hosts were up only by 2 (21-19) after a reverse scoop to the hoop by Barrington's leading scorer Aaron Sarkar (game-high 17 points).

It established a double-digit lead (38-26) at the break and the Broncos (13-7, 2-4) could get no closer than 10 in the second half.

Four Fremd starters finished the contest in double figures as junior guard Jake Schoffstall led the way with 16 points, which featured 11 during the second quarter.

Seniors Bryce Hopkins and Dean Ganas followed with 15 points apiece while Bryce's younger brother Kayman added 14.

Bryce Hopkins, who also added 11 rebounds and 5 assists, talked about the other aspects of his game.

"I try to do what my team needs me to do. Everyone in the gym saw Jake hitting them from outside and I was just finding him. You gotta go with what works," he said.

As the lone remaining letterman from the Vikings' Class 4A Final Four squad two years ago, he can compare and contrast in regards to this year's team.

"That team had outstanding chemistry. This is a new team. We're trying to make a name for ourselves," he said.