Hoffman Estates rallies again for victory
Evidently, no lead is ever safe when going against Hoffman Estates’ girls basketball team.
Two days after rallying from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to edge Waukegan in overtime, the Hawks dug themselves a 17-point deficit in the same period against Prairie Ridge on Thursday.
Once again, they charged back for a triumph, this time topping Prairie Ridge 56-54 for the consolation championship of the Lady Mustangs Holiday Classic at Mundelein High School.
Senior guard Sara Burns struck for a career-high 20 points with 2 3-pointers, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals to help lead the way.
The senior guard had 14 points in the fourth quarter.
“Sara had another great game,” said Mike Nocella, whose team improved to 4-8 and went 3-1 in the tourney. “We went to our press again in the third quarter (to ignite the rally).”
Prairie Ridge had a chance to tie with 7.5 seconds left and the ball out of bounds near half court.
But the Hawks’ defense only allowed a shot near half court as time expired.
Destinee Young (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Becca Stoczynski (12 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists) also reached double figures for Hoffman while senior guard Mary Pettit had 5 points, 5 assists and 7 rebounds.
Young scored 14 of her points in the second half.
Conant 35, Grant 31: The Cougars were perfect — at the free throw line.
Conant (5-11) finished play at the Lady Mustangs Holiday Classic at Mundelein High School by going 18-of-18 at the free throw line, including 10-of-10 in the final quarter.
The Cougars were without the services of leading scorer and rebounder Natalie Kutrumanes (illness).
Senior guard Allie Bauch (13 points) and sophomore guard Sarah Mazurek (12 points, 2 3-pointers) were top scorers for Conant. Mazurek hit a pair of 3-pointers.
“Allie played a great game,” said Cougars coach Dan Travers. “She never came off the floor. She showed great senior leadership.”
Bauch led the free throw parade by making 8-of-8.
“We got great hustle play from Barb Linderman and Brittany Hoffman,” Travers added. “And Katie Lomas did a great job against their pressure zone defense.”
Senior guard Ashley Bartuch made 4 clutch free throws in the fourth quarter.
“We did make too many turnovers,” Travers said. “But the girls did a great job stepping up without our leading scorer and rebounder.”
St. Viator 48, Elmwood Park 29: St. Viator (9-4) improved to 2-0 in its own Snowflake Classic as sophomore guard Erin Fabbri was the only Lions in double figures with 10 points.
“It was another great defensive effort,” said Lions coach Paul Bjerkness. “Lauren Rooney (8 points), Erin Fabbri, Michelle Presslak (6 points) and Mary Cleary (6 points) all had solid games.”
Jennie Horstmann (6 points) hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter to give the Lions the lead for good at 14-13.
“That was a huge shot by Jennie,” Bjerkness added. “And we had some real scrappy play on the defensive end of the floor led by Morgan Hess (4 points). We did a great job of contesting shots, blocking out, playing screens, and rebounding.”
St. Viator will face Maine East at 7:30 p.m. today on the final day of pool. The finals are next Monday and Tuesday.