Boys Basketball: ‘Gritty’ Fritz gives Buffalo Grove a boost
By derek reinglass Contributor February 7, 2012 2:26PM
Buffalo Grove's Alex Fritz handles the ball during Friday's game at Rolling Meadows. | Dave Shields~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 10, 2012 8:12AM
Alex Fritz’s contribution to the Buffalo Grove High School boys basketball team extends far beyond the box score.
However, over the past few weeks, Fritz’s scoring has provided the Bison with a much-needed lift.
“He’s playing with much more confidence,” said BG coach Ryan O’Connor. “He’s a tough, gritty player, and a very good perimeter defender. He handles the basketball for us a lot, and has been doing a nice job of looking to score lately. I’ve been really impressed.”
For Fritz and fellow senior Sam Wacker, high school basketball is quickly nearing its end. With only three regular-season games remaining, including Friday’s game at Prospect, it’s now or never.
“You can just see it in their eyes that they know the clock is ticking,” O’Connor said. “In late-game situations, Sam will get this look, like, give me the ball. There are only certain players like that, and when they demand the ball, you get them the ball and let them work. He’s been remarkably clutch for us in the fourth quarter.”
Behind Fritz and Wacker, the Bison had rallied to win four straight heading into its game at Rolling Meadows on Friday. Buffalo Grove fell behind early, and an 8-0 Mustangs run before halftime sucked the life out of the Bison.
Down by 14 points at the break, and 18 just minutes into the third quarter, Buffalo Grove ended up falling 60-51.
Wacker led the way for the Bison, scoring 16 points, while Fritz and Rich Zirngibl added 12 and nine points, respectively.
Rolling Meadows controlled the glass, and executed their sets on both ends of the floor. Offensively, the Mustangs scored inside and out by making the extra pass and not forcing anything. Defense rotations were swift, and no Bison shot went uncontested.
“We’ve talked all season about playing our best basketball at the end of the season,” O’Connor said. “I felt like we were well on our way, until this loss. Now it’s about how we bounce back. I think from every loss you take away something positive. Physically, the effort is there. It’s the mental endurance that needs a little work. Everything isn’t always going to be all rosy in sports; it’s a game of high and lows. We just have to do a better job of weathering the runs. A lot of it starts with consistently crashing the boards. We’ve been spotty.”
Without any dominant scorer, the Bison are at their best when they spread the ball around by making quick passes. With Luke Potnick fighting through injuries, the pressure is on sophomores Colin Inlow and Andrew Apel to pick up the scoring slack. Todd Ahlers has also seen an increased number of minutes lately, and has responded well.
On the schedule: After Friday’s game at Prospect, Buffalo Grove will close out the regular season with a home game against Hersey on Feb. 17 and road tilt at Fremd on Feb. 27.
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