Over the years, Stevenson and Prospect has become one of the better non-conference rivalries in the state of Illinois. They've had their share of great finishes, and rematches in the playoffs.
Last season the Patriots beat the Knights 59-43 at the Mundelein Regional final, in which I attended. Back on January 21st, the Knights squeaked out a 1-point 41-40 win at home.
It was a battle of the interior throughout the game between Prospect's 6-3 senior Alex Georgakas and Stevenson's 6-5 junior Jack Dabbs. Georgakas would finish with 18 points and Dabbs would finish with 16 points and 8 boards.
The Knights also got some key buckets from sophomore Ben Schneider. He hit his first bucket, a three, to put the Knights up 18-17 with a minute left in the first half, and they led with that score at halftime. Schneider hit another three, and a layup-and-one in the third quarter.
The Knights were up 43-41 with 18.7 seconds left after a pair of free throws by Patriots sophomore Aidan Bardic (6 points), and a Knights turnover.
Timeout Stevenson.
Bardic passes the ball to 6-4 senior David Sulnius who goes to the basket, draws a foul, and hits the bucket to tie the game.
Timeout Prospect.
Sulnius (7 points) would hit the free throw to give the Patriots the lead with 7 seconds left.
The ball is bounded back to Schneider (11 points, 2/3 3-pt.) who takes it downcourt to the offensive zone, takes a shot and scores at the buzzer for a 45-44 Knights victory. Initially ruled a three, it was changed to a two-pointer since Schneider had his foot on the line.
Tuesday night had a similar ending. Libertyville was tied with the host Broncos late in regulation. Wildcats forward Aidyn Boone hit a long walkoff three to win it for the Wildcats.
Stevenson ends the season at 22-8.
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