Quarterfinal Victory

Saxons sack the champs

                   By Bob Sakamoto
                   Tribune Staff Writer

                   March 17, 2001

                   PEORIA - Postgame media sessions
                   at state tournaments generally follow
                   the same basic format.

                   A coach and several key players from
                   each team answer questions about
                   what just transpired.

                   On Friday evening, after Schaumburg
                   had knocked off defending Class AA
                   champion West Aurora 64-51 in
                   surprisingly easy fashion, Saxons
                   coach Bob Williams probably wasn't
                   sure who should accompany him to the
                   podium.

So he brought the whole team, all 15
guys.

                   In a way, that was emblematic of how Schaumburg succeeded,
                   coming at West Aurora in waves until the Blackhawks finally
                   snapped.

                   "We use our depth, make people work on defense and eventually it
                   will take its toll," said Williams, whose team advanced to the 12:45
                   p.m. semifinal Saturday against Lyons. "Teams get tired, go for
                   steals and commit fouls.

"After the game, [West Aurora coach] Gordie Kerkman came up to
me and said: 'Good game—your kids played hard. We broke first."'

                   It was 35-35 late in the third quarter when the breakdown began for
                   West Aurora (27-4). Freshman Zach Pancratz hit a basket and Tony
                   Young followed with a three-pointer. What started out as an
                   innocent-looking five-point burst turned into a decisive 19-2 run that
                   staked Schaumburg (27-3) to a 54-37 lead.

                   "We didn't fall apart alone," Kerkman said. "Schaumburg created
                   most of our problems. The defensive pressure they created caused
                   turnovers and indecision on our part. They also had a few guys step
                   up and hit some shots.

                   "This wasn't a Greek tragedy, but it was a Blackhawk tragedy. We
                   made about every possible turnover you could imagine. It wasn't a
                   very pretty game for us for all four quarters."

                   Schaumburg committed 22 turnovers, one more than West Aurora.
                   But the Saxons also shot 58 percent in the second half to 27 percent
                   for the Blackhawks. Mark Pancratz led Schaumburg with 20 points
                   and Young added 17. Jay Thomas paced West Aurora with 19
                   points.

                   West Aurora's best player, Jamaal Thompson, was plagued by foul
                   trouble all night. When he fouled out with 6 minutes 42 seconds left,
                   he had six points and two rebounds.

                   "I know he feels very bad about losing, and the way he played,"
                   Kerkman said. "Our foul trouble [Derik Hollyfield also fouled out] was
                   because of poor discipline. Instead of playing defense with our feet,
                   we were using our hands and making too many foolish fouls."

                   Schaumburg is peaking at the right time. The Saxons have won their
                   last two games by an average of 15 points, and these are supposed
                   to be the year's toughest.

                   After the way Thornwood dismantled Peoria Richwoods Friday,
                   observers began wondering if Schaumburg was best equipped to
                   challenge Eddy Curry & Co.

                   "I don't know if Schaumburg is a great team, but they're very good,"
                   Kerkman said. "They remind me a little of our team last year. They
                   didn't break, stayed patient on offense and have a couple of guys who
                   can shoot threes."