Rolling Meadows Cruises Past Prospect

The 20-3 Rolling Meadows Mustangs didn't have to travel far last night to face the 10-13 Prospect Knights, and they arrived ready to dominate. The Mustangs came out firing, seemingly making every shot they took. Meanwhile, the Knights started flat-footed—struggling with ball control, missing open looks, and getting out-hustled early. Though Prospect eventually found its rhythm, the early double-digit deficit made a comeback against one of the state's top teams an uphill battle.   With the win, Rolling Meadows remains perfect in Mid-Suburban East play at 7-0, while Prospect falls to 4-3 in conference action.   Now, let's turn our attention to a group of unranked and underrated players who made a significant impact, regardless of the final score.    The senior shooting guard was the MVP of this contest, and he deserves much more credit for his performance. Sure, the game favored his team, but Escobedo brought instant energy, relentless defensive hustle, and confident shot-making. He was everywhere on defense, disrupting plays, and carried that same intensity on offense—securing loose balls and converting second-chance points.   Right out of halftime, Escobedo knocked down a three, then moments later, buried another to cap off the possession. His activity, deep shooting, and high motor stood out in a big way. He led the Mustangs in scoring with 15 points on the night.     A junior gem off the bench for Prospect, Stratigos brought playmaking, confidence, and a steady demeanor. He displayed a smooth shooting stroke from beyond the arc, knocking down two threes, but what stood out most was his shot selection—taking smart attempts rather than forcing shots, even with his team trailing the entire game.   Shooting with confidence, he banked in a three before the halftime buzzer, providing a much-needed boost for Prospect. Beyond his scoring, Stratigos showcased his ball-handling under pressure, weaving through defenders and finding seams in the defense. He's slippery with the ball in his hands, making him a tough cover.   Despite playing from behind, Stratigos remained locked in every time he checked in, making a handful of plays that stood out.     The senior southpaw was a steady contributor throughout the game. He set the tone early, draining a corner three for the game's first basket. Offensively, he showed great awareness, finding open pockets within the offense, cutting to the rim, and finishing strong. Ran well in transition to provide quick passes up the court to set up the offense.   Defensively, he brought the intensity, using his quickness to guard the ball effectively while also providing help defense that led to steals and deflections.     Prospect's top performer in this matchup, senior point guard Schneider took a moment to find his rhythm, but once he did, he proved he could make tough shots and pressure a defense.   What stood out immediately was his rise and release on mid-range jumpers—knocking down several difficult attempts. He has the ability to stop on a dime, create separation, elevate, and hit the shot. Defenders played him tight, hands in his face, but Schneider proved he's not easily slowed down.   One of his best sequences came when he curled crisply off a screen and drilled a mid-range jumper. Beyond his shooting, he's quick off the dribble, using his speed to split defenders and attack the interior.     Coen is an underrated big man—not just because of his height, but because of his ability to play inside-out. In the post, he showcased a soft touch on baby hooks along with the strength to power through defenders and finish at the rim.   He's a solid, wide screen-setter in the pick-and-roll and has soft hands to catch quick dump-off passes. Beyond his interior game, he knocked down a three in this contest, and his shooting form looks sound and promising.   On the boards, Coen is a relentless rebounder, battling on the glass to secure misses and extend possessions with his bounce and effort.     Warrener is a 6'2" combo guard who made plays in multiple areas of the game. He opened up the offense with his cutting ability and hustle to chase down long rebounds or loose balls. He then rewarded himself with smart shot selections at the rim off those cuts.   Though he only hit one three in the game, his shooting form is mechanically sound, and he shoots with confidence off the catch.   Warrener is the type of guard who brings constant hustle on both sides of the floor, making an impact in whatever way he can.

The 20-3 Rolling Meadows Mustangs didn't have to travel far last night to face the 10-13 Prospect Knights, and they arrived ready to dominate. The Mustangs came out firing, seemingly making every shot they took. Meanwhile, the Knights started flat-footed—struggling with ball control, missing open looks, and getting out-hustled early. Though Prospect eventually found its rhythm, the early double-digit deficit made a comeback against one of the state's top teams an uphill battle.