Burlington Central falls behind in second half, loses to Fremd in Lakes MLK Classic semifinal

LAKE VILLA – After dispatching Hoffman Estates to recapture sole possession of first place of the Mid-Suburban West on Friday, Fremd turned its attention to a Saturday contest with Burlington Central in the first semifinal of the Lakes MLK Classic.

The Vikings carried over Friday’s momentum as they cruised to a 61-42 win and a berth in the championship game of the fourth annual event against Deerfield (14-5) at 2:30 p.m. Monday.

The contest will be a rematch of last month’s Wheeling Hardwood Classic final won by the Vikings 56-44.

“The system that they run is very difficult to go against and coming back from [Friday] night’s game, this was a tough spot,” Vikings first-year coach Mike Brown said of facing the Rockets. “We’re proud of our guys for responding and playing well against a really tough team.”

A 3-pointer by Central’s leading scorer, senior forward Jacob Johnson (12 points), put the Rockets ahead for the final time in the game at 23-22. Fremd (17-2) then went on a 6-0 to end the first half with a 28-22 advantage.

Fremd went on a 15-3 run over final three minutes of the third quarter. Junior Jordan Williams (6-foot-6) hit a putback at the buzzer as he was taken to the floor and completed a three-point play, giving the Vikings a 47-32 lead going into the fourth.

Vikings junior forward Rafael Pinto (6-5), whose 15-point, six-rebound effort led all scorers, talked about staying focused.

“Coach Brown really trusts all of us,” Pinto said. “When he came in here he [spoke] to us of needing to stay focused every game, and that’s what we did last night [versus Hoffman Estates], and that’s what we did today. We all buy into his system.”

Williams added 10 points, while senior guards Ryan Brown and Samuel Hirsch had nine points apiece for Fremd.

Senior forward Patrick Shell scored 11 points for the Rockets (13-6), who will face Mundelein in the third-place game at 1 p.m. Monday.

“I thought the first 16 minutes [of the game] were some of the best basketball we’ve played this year,” Central coach Brett Porto said.

“When you play a team like Fremd with no shot clock, it’s very difficult and some kids maybe get nervous and panic – and you get away from the things that make you more successful. [Still], I really couldn’t be more proud of this group.”