By Connor Graver, sports editor
For the first time in a long time, Prospect wasn’t just a second half team. The Knights came out fast in the first half and controlled the rest of the game beating Glenbrook North 60-39 and advancing to the Regional Championship against New Trier Friday.
“I joked with them [the players], can we get a first half? Can we come out of the gates and put the game at our tempo right away? I joked with them, it was nice to finally do that,” Camardella said.
From the start of the game Prospect was firing on all cylinders. After a fast start on offense from Seniors David Swedura and Johnny Czeslawski, the defense took over holding Glenbrook North to only 15 points in the first half.
Prospect picked up 21 defensive rebounds, led by Senior Jalen Mclachlan with five.
After halftime, Prospect led Glenbrook North 30-15. The game felt as if it was over and Prospect would be moving on but the Knights truly brought it home in the third quarter.
Czeslawski could not miss in the 3rd. Hitting two 3’s in a row and shooting 71 percent from beyond the arc (5-7). Czeslawski had a career high night finishing with 21 points and five rebounds.
“Felt really loose tonight,” Czeslawski said. “It was a big game obviously and I couldn’t tighten up. I had to do it for my team and make my shots.”
Camardella added that tonight was a do-or-die game in the playoffs and Czeslawski stepped up in the big moments.
“I thought Johnny was beyond loose tonight in the best way … shooting, taking the right shots and putting the team on his back,” Camardella said.
Looking forward to the Regional Championship, Prospect is on a mission to avenge last year’s upset loss against Lake Park.
Czeslawski commented that he’s not done playing yet, and is focused going into the game against New Trier.
Camardella is excited and is ready to move forward in the state playoffs.
Prospect will take on New Trier on Friday night. The winner will be crowned Winnetka (New Trier) Regional Champion and play the winner of the Skokie Regional Champion Wednesday March 7 at 7PM.