Christie sets all-time MSL scoring record as Meadows downs Hersey
It was a night of exclamation points for Max Christie and Rolling Meadows Tuesday.
Christie scored 32 points to become the all-time leading scorer in Mid-Suburban League boys basketball history. That performance helped propel Rolling Meadows to a convincing 71-62 win over Hersey and give Meadows its first MSL East title since 2012.
Rolling Meadows (13-0, 9-0) will meet West champion Barrington Saturday at Rolling Meadows at 5 p.m. for the MSL title.
"It is very exciting for us," Rolling Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said. "And for Max to break the all-time record makes it even more special."
Christie drained a 3-pointer from the top of the arc early in the third quarter to surpass Buffalo Grove's Brian Allsmiller, who had 2,073 career points. Christie now has 2,083 points with two games remaining.
"It is a pretty good achievement to become the all-time leading scorer in MSL history," said Christie, who also had 13 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.
"And to do it on night where we win the division title makes it even more special. We are still looking to close out our season."
Hersey (12-3, 8-2) needed the win over Meadows to have an opportunity at the East title. And the Huskies looked ready for that.
Hersey went inside for layups or putback as the Huskies broke out to a 10-2 lead. After a timeout, Meadows switched to some full-court pressure and that coupled with the shooting of Aidan Hosler got the Mustangs back in the game.
"I had been struggling lately," said Hosler, who scored 7 of his career-high 10 points in the first quarter. "I was open and I am a confident guy and I was able to hit some shots."
Hersey continued to lead until the final second of the first quarter. That's when Christie, for the second time this season against Hersey, drained a half-court shot at the buzzer to put the Mustangs up 21-20.
Hersey regained the lead on a 3-pointer from Brent Wolff. It was 41-35 at the half when Meadows broke it open. The Mustangs scored 7 unanswered points to open the second half.
"I think defensively, rebounding was a big thing for us," said Meadows' Daniel Sobkowicz, who finished with 20 points and 6 rebounds. "I think that is what separated us from them and for us to lead."
Rolling Meadows built a 58-41 lead early in the fourth quarter when Hersey made a late run. But the Huskies could get no closer than seven.
Griffin Ginder led Hersey with 18 points while Ben Randall and Andrew Wagner each had 12.
"They played real hard and they were well prepared," Hersey coach Austin Scott said of Meadows. "I thought we played a little fast in the third quarter and wanted everything back at once. We were searching for a 13-point possession. Those don't exist."