By Devin Prasad and Ryan Molini

Sports Editor and Staff Writer

Coming into the boys’ basketball game against Hersey on January 31, the atmosphere was different than Prospect’s first meeting against the Huskies.  The Knights had one win under their belt, but Hersey played like a team that had something to prove, winning the game 57-39.

Both teams played with a chip on their shoulder as the Knights faced foul trouble heading into halftime.

Two of Prospect’s starting seniors had to adjust their game plan with fouls coming early.  Hersey took advantage by getting to the free throw line, where they shot 19 for 25 (76%) and getting the ball to their big men down low.

With the problem present, coach John Camardella had to remove many of his starters, putting the on-court responsibilities into some new hands.

Junior guard Ernest Kiseliovas stepped into the role as he finished the game with 11 points.

Prospect’s success off the bench didn’t prove to be much against Hersey junior guard Max Heeron, as he finished with 12 points.

Senior forward Alex Mueller also finished with 12 points, all of which came in the second half.

The third and fourth quarters were ones the Knights look to move past.  Prospect scored only 5 points in the third and were out scored, out rebounded, and simply out played by the Huskies.  In the fourth quarter, the deficit was too much to overcome, and with only 4:03 left in the game, senior Bobby Frasco fouled out to cap off an all around tough night.

Prospect’s next game is against Wheeling, as they hope to bounce back from their first MSL East loss of the season.  The Knights still are in control of the lead in the division but this loss, was a learning lesson for them.

“You hope you don’t have to go through games like this,” Camardella said. “This was an absolute perfect storm for us and a lot of that had to do with how Hersey played tonight.”