By Connor Graver, sports editor
It was a tale of two games Friday night. Prospect dominated the first half, and had everything going for them against Hersey, but missed key shots in the second half and looked to be falling apart. But after a timeout and a quick six points the Knights did what they’ve done all year: stay cool under pressure and get a win.
With Fridays 52-41 win, the Knights are 9-0 in the MSL East, and 18-4 overall.
“Hersey completely outworked us in the last three quarters of the game … I was glad how our guys hung in there to win,” said Head Coach John Camardella.
The Knights started out white hot in the game leading 15-0 after the first quarter and maintained a lead for the rest of the game. While the scoreboard showed otherwise, Prospect struggled shooting 46 percent on field goals as a team.
Camardella noted unusually weak shooting and missing open looks but was glad to be able to rely on the defense to take the win.
“Down the stretch, we got a lot of really good looks,” said Camardella.
Feb. 9 wasn’t any regular conference game; all six District 214 schools played games against each other at Christian Liberty Academy, formerly Arlington High School. Before Prospect’s game, members of the Arlington High School basketball team reunited to celebrate the school reaching the IHSA Elite 8 in 1981.  
Playing at old Arlington was special for Camardella who reflected before the game.
“I appreciated the numbers on the seats, it spoke to me that they used to sell tickets at a place like this,” said Camardella.
He added how devoted the District 214 community is. Camardella played basketball in District 214 and made the choice to raise his family just eight blocks from Arlington High School.
The Knights are one game away from a perfect MSL record in the regular season. Camardella is blown away that they would be in this position and be able to accomplish a perfect conference record. Prospect will host Wheeling on Feb 16.