Stevenson's Rally Ousts Conant in Regional Semifinal

<p>It was a tight one early in the Regional Semifinal at Hoffman Estates, as 4-seeded Stevenson squared off with 13-seeded Conant. The Cougars showed early signs of life, jumping out to a first-quarter lead and keeping things locked at 18-18 by halftime.</p>   <p>But once the second half began, Stevenson put the pedal down. The Patriots pulled away behind a dominant stretch to secure a 62-41 victory. With the win, Stevenson advances to face Buffalo Grove on Friday night after the Bison upset host Hoffman Estates in the other semifinal.</p>   <p>Here's a look at the key moments and turning points between Stevenson and Conant.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Patriots Two Senior Guards </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Williams is an explosive, athletic guard who became increasingly effective as the game wore on. He began attacking downhill with pace, using his quick first step to create separation and rise into controlled pull-ups. He showed footwork, holding his pivot and knocking down small fades. His three-point shot found rhythm in the second half. Defensively, his athleticism was consistent— active hands, quick reactions, and the ability to disrupt. After a quiet first half, he responded with urgency and looked determined to assert himself.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">One of Stevenson's all-conference guards, Pagliocca did a little bit of everything to help the Patriots create separation. He set the tone early, attacking the paint and scoring the game's first two baskets. From there, he continued to impact the game in multiple ways — putting pressure on the rim, facilitating for teammates, spacing the floor as a three-point threat, and getting in for rebounds. His all-around presence helped Stevenson control the tempo and extend the lead.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Albrecht Set the Tone</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Albrecht ignited the second-half surge right out of the break. He opened with a drive, finishing a controlled floater while smartly avoiding the charge. Moments later, he went for back-to-back steals that turned into points, fueling a quick 6-0 run. His defensive intensity remained steady throughout, and he used his strength to attack the rim, create contact, and get to the line. Converting 6-of-8 from the charity stripe, he capitalized on his aggression and helped stretch the lead.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">An Overlooked Junior at Conant</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Glowacki was the clear standout for Conant, consistently putting pressure on the defense. He showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim with control and strength, finishing through contact while displaying soft touch off the glass. His downhill attacks made him difficult to guard one-on-one. He also mixed in a confident perimeter jumper, showing he can extend his range when defenders sagged. Finishing with a team-high 19 points, he served as the primary offensive catalyst all night.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Impact Players in the Junior Class</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Frakes was a force on the defensive end, anchoring the paint with physicality and timing. He controlled the interior by contesting shots, cleaning the glass aggressively, and altering attempts around the rim. His presence alone made it difficult for Conant to generate clean looks inside. Offensively, he provided paint scoring, finding soft spots in the defense and finishing quickly off guard penetration. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">More of an under-the-radar guard for the Patriots, Ottaviano embraced the glue-guy role in this matchup. He consistently made the hustle plays — generating deflections, creating steals, and hustling into loose-ball situations. His effort injected energy into the team and helped swing momentum in subtle ways. The plays that often go unnoticed were exactly where he made his impact.</p>

It was a tight one early in the Regional Semifinal at Hoffman Estates, as 4-seeded Stevenson squared off with 13-seeded Conant. The Cougars showed early signs of life, jumping out to a first-quarter lead and keeping things locked at 18-18 by halftime.