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Despite loss, Prospect happy to be back in action

When Prospect's boys basketball team left the court on March 10 of last year, the Knights couldn't wait to get back. Despite losing to Mundelein in the sectional semifinals, Prospect was looking to build off its first regional title since 2009.

There was no way that anyone would have foreseen that loss would have been the final high school basketball game for nearly 11 months.

Prospect finally did get back, playing in at Notre Dame in Niles on Thursday night. And despite the 55-35 loss to the host Dons, Prospect coach John Camardella was happy to hear the bounce of the basketball, the squeak of a gym shoe and even the electronic whistles of the officials.

"It is so good," Camardella said. "(Notre Dame coach Kevin) Clancy and I have been talking for a week to try to get this game done. Did we have enough practices? Then it snows. But it was chance to be out here and get the rhythm back before conference play."

Instead of the usual raucous crowd at Notre Dame, there was a smattering of administrators, workers and reporters as the sounds echoed around the cavernous gym.

In addition to the students and parents not being in attendance, Prospect was also missing its favorite adopted fan in former Daily Herald sports editor Bob Frisk. A staple at Prospect basketball games, Frisk, who usually was seated near or behind the Prospect bench, passed away last year.

"When I knew we were going to have a season, obviously I thought of my players and our program," Camardella said. "The first person I thought of outside of players was Bob Frisk. He was really like a father figure. He was such a supporter of high school athletics and he was a huge a Prospect fan."

Owen Schneider, who was part of that run last season for the Knights, picked up right where he left off from last season. He led Prospect with 18 points and was 6-for-6 on two-point shots in the second half.

"It was a good experience and a fun game," Schneider said. " Last two weeks they said we weren't going to have a season and now we are playing already. We definitely had some mojo coming into this season. I still think we are going to have a good team this year."

Notre Dame, which has three Division-I players on its roster and is considered one of the top teams in the state, broke away in the second quarter. Anthony Sayles led Notre Dame with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

The Dons hit 5 of their first 7 3-pointers while limiting Prospect to 1-of-10 to lead 30-20. Notre Dame then scored the next 10 points as Prospect tried to stay close.

  Prospect's Marco Shaw passes the ball under pressure from Notre Dame's Anthony Sayles in basketball action at Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Prospect's Luke Zardzin collects up a loose ball as Notre Dame's Frank Lynch looks on in the first half of basketball action at Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Prospect's Owen Schneider is under pressure by Notre Dame's Sonny Williams as he drives to the basket in basketball action at Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Prospect's Cole Lannert applies pressure to Notre Dame's Frank Lynch in the boys basketball matchup at Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Prospect's Chase Larsen looks to pass off under pressure from Notre Dame's Louis Lesmond in basketball action at Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Prospect's Colin Votzmeyer takes a break during the first half of the basketball matchup against Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Prospect's Marco Shaw catches his breath in the first half of basketball action at Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Prospect and Notre Dame play their first basketball game in a COVID-19 season without fans at the Notre Dame High School in Niles on Thursday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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