Hoffman Estates' winning ways continue vs. Schaumburg

After getting past Elk Grove in a Mid-Suburban League crossover on Tuesday night, Schaumburg boys basketball coach Wade Heisler began to turn his attention toward a return to West division play with a home date Friday against Hoffman Estates.

This time for Heisler, though, it would be a contest that had a different meaning. He would do battle against a Hoffman squad that had a new head coach in Peter McBride, who previously assisted the Saxons' program the past three seasons.

And it would be McBride's Hawks who would prevail on this night, 58-45.

"I could not be more proud of Pete. I think he's a phenomenal human being on top of being a phenomenal coach," Heisler said. "He's the kind of guy who I would want my kid to play for. Pete is one of those guys that he has a contagious energy and is doing a phenomenal job and will continue to."

McBride returned that praise to his former mentor.

"I think the world of Wade as a coach, as a molder of young men," McBride said. "I love the way he runs his program It's going to take some getting used to not rooting against him, but not being alongside him thinking similarly."

The energy that has fueled the Hawks to 10 wins in their first 13 games was clearly evident on Friday.

"That team is awfully good and talented and we know it's a great game going into (Friday)," Heisler said. "You know (McBride) will have his kids ready and prepared. I'm so proud of the job he's doing over there."

"We knew they (Schaumburg) were going to be prepared no matter how much film we watched," McBride said. "I have to credit Wade. I thought he put his guys in great spots. I thought they missed some open looks they would typically make, but I thought we did a nice job responding to those (by) cleaning up the glass in the second quarter where we felt we extended the lead a little bit (thus) putting ourselves in a good position to finish it."

The Hawks (10-3, 1-2) used a 19-0 run to place themselves in that very position during a five-minute portion of the second quarter that allowed them to break away from an 11-all tie. Senior guard Mike Vukovic tallied 7 of his game-high 27 points during the decisive surge that left them Hawks up 30-14 at the break and 44-21 at the end of three quarters.

The Saxons (10-7, 0-4) would pull within 10 thanks to a 17-4 start to the fourth but got no closer. Senior forward D.J. Wilson would score 9 of his team-high 20 points during the final stanza.

Mike Vukovic's twin brother Nick added 12 points in the victorious effort for the Hawks.