Boys Basketball: Stevenson’s Michael Fleming sparks win over Buffalo Grove

Updated: November 26, 2011 10:04PM

Taking big shots is old hat for Stevenson guard Michael Fleming. Yet the three-pointer he nailed late in the second quarter Saturday elicited plenty of gasps from the big crowd.

Fleming, who scored 24 points to spark the Patriots to a 68-53 win over Buffalo Grove in the final game of the Bison Classic, rained in a long three despite serious pressure from a Bison defender.

“He (BG defender) got a little bit of my arm,” Fleming said. “When I shot it, I didn’t expect him to close out as fast as he did.”

At the last moment, Fleming altered his shot — but still managed to drain the shot from the left wing.

“Michael is going to make big shots and tough shots,” said Patriots coach Pat Ambrose, whose team finished second in the tourney with a 3-1 record (Elgin was first at 4-0).

“Coach Ambrose allows me to take those shots,” Fleming said. “I’m happy that he gives me that freedom.”

The long trey by Fleming boosted the lead to 32-8. Stevenson led 35-10 at halftime and was not threatened in the second half. Fleming wound up hitting four three-point shots.

“It was difficult to guard him (Fleming),” said Bison coach Ryan O’Connor, whose team fell to 2-2.

The other Patriot standouts included Matt Morrissey (13 points) and Colby Cashaw (10 points).

Buffalo Grove was led by Richie Zirngibl (20 points) and Kevin Newman (13 points).

“We gave it a good effort in the fourth quarter,” O’Connor said. “Both teams were going at it and playing hard.”

Stevenson avenged a loss to Buffalo Grove in the final game of the 2010 Bison Classic.

“They (Bison) took it to us last year,” Fleming recalled. “This was a very important game four us.”

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