By Jack Ankony, executive sports editor
In a game that felt like the Knights would win by 20, they needed to make pressure-filled free throws down the stretch to secure the victory over the Buffalo Grove Bison. Prospect jumped out to a 40-25 lead after three quarters thanks to a game-high 15 points from junior David Swedura.
The Bison came storming back in the 4th quarter, however, going on a 21-9 run including three straight three-pointers
from junior Zach Fricke. The Knights were able to hit a couple key free throws (8-12 66%) down the stretch to hold off the Bison.
“It didn’t seem like we ever truly got into a flow, to be honest,” head coach John Camardella said. “It was a very disjointed game. We made some uncharacteristic mistakes, and we got to get back to practice period. That’s not the way we want to finish games.”
To claim their first win in the MSL East and fifth win overall, the Knights defeated the Bison 49-46. Prospect shot 47 percent on 17-36 shooting from the field and 36 percent on 7-19 shooting from behind the arc. Senior Frankie Mack added 11 points, and in his first game as a starter, senior Grant Zellmer scored nine points and five rebounds.
Zellmer started in place of senior guard Antonio Gardner who has a broken foot and hopes to return by the start of playoffs. It was also senior Grant Whitebloom and junior Tim Lussenhop who saw an increase in playing time with Gardner out.
“I feel like the guys who came in [for Gardner] came in and worked their butts off,” Swedura said. “They did a good job of playing tough.”
On the defensive side, the Knights held junior Jack Vaselaney, the team’s second highest scorer on the season, to only three points in this game. Swedura says that the key to containing him was closing out on all of his shots and never losing sight of him on the court.
“I think we are doing pretty well on perimeter [defense],” Camardella said. “But everything down low just needs work.”
In the matchup of 6’6” big men, Prospect’s senior Matt Szuba and Buffalo Grove’s junior Mac Camardo, Camardo outscored Szuba nine to four, but it was Szuba’s two blocked shots and one steal that made the difference.
Though it might not have been the team’s proudest moment, Swedura is happy they could come out with a win.
“It’s a big win because coming off a MSL loss to Hersey it’s a must win,” Swedura said. “So we got to just keep going. It was a grind out win, but it was a win, so we’ll keep going.
Looking ahead, the Knights’ next MSL East matchup is on Dec. 16 when they travel to Rolling Meadows for a matchup with the Mustangs.
“We [have to] deal with some pretty fundamental issues right now with this squad,” Camardella said. “It’s up to me and the staff to do that.”
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Swedura leads Knights to first MSL East win
December 12, 2016
#4 Junior David Swedura walks the ball up against Buffalo Grove on Dec. 9. Swedura led all scorers with 15 points in the Knights’ 49-46 victory. This win moved the Knights’ overall record to 5-3. (photo by Elisabeth Rohde)
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