By Wyatt Dojutrek, executive online sports editor
The Mid Suburban League Championship game has not been very kind to the Prospect varsity boys’ basketball team the past two seasons.
After heartbreaking losses to Conant in 2016 and Fremd last season, the third time was the charm for the Knights as they took down the Barrington Broncos 54-44 in Barrington.
The Knights came out of the halftime break with the hot hand with junior Jon Kreidler scoring all nine of his points in the third quarter on 4-5 shooting.
Prospect knocked down their first six shots in the second half, outscoring Barrington 21-12.
Head coach John Camardella was not surprised at the Knights hot run in the second half.
“It’s the best second half team I have coached in my career,” Camardella said. “I have no problem saying that. They make adjustments, they come out, and I think if we go back statistically, third quarters are just outstanding, absolutely outstanding.”
Senior David Swedura scored his 1000th career point early in the third quarter, in his final MSL Championship game.
Swedura also received more honors during the game as he was named both All-Conference, and was named the MSL East player of the year.
Joining Swedura with All-Conference honors were teammates seniors Tim Lussenhop, and Jalen McLachlan, and junior Jon Kreidler.
The head coach joined the award party as well, Camardella was named the MSL East Coach of the Year.
After starting in all of the past three conference championship game, Swedura is more thankful about bringing the conference crown back to Prospect than scoring his 1000th point.
“Winning this [game] for sure,” Swedura said. “I’m proud of my guys how they came out and were ready to play in the second half.”
Swedura finished the contest scoring 19 points on 7-16 shooting. Including shooting 4-5 from the free throw line to lock the game up.
The halftime adjustment after being down three to Barrington proved critical according to Camardella.
“It was the difference,” Camardella said. “The guys came out and never doubted, trusted each other, and get ready for the second half.”
Prospects defense had itself a night as well, forcing the Broncos to turn the ball over eight times in the second half, after only forcing four turnovers from Barrington in the second half.
While the Broncos had a tough second half with the ball, Prospect had similar luck in the first half.
At the start of the contest, the Knights came out of the gate struggling shooting 1-13 from the three point line.
However even with the team struggling early, Camardella still had complete confidence in his guys shooting from deep.
“It was just a matter of us hot or about to get hot,” Camardella said. “That’s been our montra all year.”
The Knights shot 3-6 from long range in the second half.
And to help seal the game, Prospect shot 71% from the charity stripe.
After having an undefeated record in MSL East play and winning a conference championship, Camardella believes that this seasons squad is one of Prospect’s best.
“It is a really special win,” Camardella said. “And they’re a lot of players that have played in this game and haven’t been able to bring it home, just really really proud of this team with this victory tonight.”