Big Viking surprise??

A lot of people outside the Mid-Suburban League were probably shocked to see Fremd win by 10 points at Schaumburg in boys basketball. But in recent years, the team that has given the Saxons as much trouble as anyone has been the Vikings. And it hasn't mattered if the game was at Schaumburg, which is a really tough place to win, or Fremd.

And if there were a "best team in the state with a 5-9 record" it would be Fremd. The Vikings started 0-7 but the schedule included Waukegan, Warren, Hoffman Estates, Conant, Jacobs and Prospect. They lost again to Hoffman and to Neuqua Valley at Elgin.

But they're a team to be reckoned with and one people won't want to see in the postseason. They have an experienced point guard in Dan Bruno and the offense has been boosted by the promotion of sophomore long-range bomber Zach Monaghan. Chris Klimek is a versatile 6-4 swingman and Will Reising is part of a strong inside contingent.

The rematch is Feb. 13 at Fremd and could have big implications on the MSL West race.