Point taken, as Barrington prevails
The final seven minutes of Tuesday’s Mid-Suburban West girls basketball game between host Barrington and Palatine were pretty much as close as its gets.
The two teams were never separated by more than 2 points.
At the end, it was decided by 1.
Senior Alexa Resch, coming off a 30-point performance against Schaumburg, drove to the basket for a 7-foot bank shot that gave the Fillies a 33-31 lead with 54.6 seconds left.
Palatine sophomore Monica Masini made a free throw with 17.2 seconds left to cut the deficit to 33-32.
That stood as the final score after Barrington failed on the front end of a bonus with 11 seconds and Palatine narrowly missed a 15-footer from the baseline with 2 seconds left.
Fillies freshman Bryana Hopkins grabbed the long rebound as the clock expired and the Fillies notched their ninth win in 11 games.
They improved 2-0 in the West while Palatine slipped to 10-2 and 1-1.
Barrington led 25-18 early in third quarter but Palatine slowly chipped away the lead, finally tying the game at 29 on back-to-back banks shots by Masini.
“We were getting a little scared but we knew if we kept playing defense and stayed strong it could be our game,” said 5-foot-10 junior guard Angie Kirchoff, who led the Fillies’ balanced offense with 8 points. “We had to stay together as a team and working as a unit. On defense, we were definitely communicating and had to make sure we gave up no easy baskets. ”
McKenzie Wiedemann (11 points) and Masini (10 points) each had 6 of the Pirates’ 9 baskets. Morgan Radtke added 7 points and 6 rebounds .
“I thought Barrington played real tough defense,” said Palatine coach Leslie Schock. “I scouted them a few times and I knew that. You’ve got to give them credit.
“Down the stretch, we had some bad mental mistakes and we had too many turnovers (including three to start the second half). You just can’t do that and win close games.”
Resch (6 points) also had the bucket that gave Barrington a 31-29 lead with 3:35 left. Moments after Wiedemann had fouled out, Nia Pappas came up with a clutch 14-footer in the lane that tied the game at 31 with 1:23 left.
But after Barreiro called a timeout, the Fillies answered with what turned out to be the decisive bucket from Resch, who had 5 rebounds.
Freshmen Hopkins and Megan Talbot, both 6-foot-1, pulled down 6 rebounds apiece.
“A very team-oriented win,” Barreiro said. “I’m really proud of the kids. Everyone contributed in one way or another.
“I thought Carrie Madden did a nice job on Nia Pappas in the fourth quarter when we went to man-to-man. Maddie Bartz and Bailee McDonald both did a nice job helping in the post.”
Masini (8 rebounds) and Radtke (6 rebounds) helped lead the Pirates to the edge on the boards.
“For a team our size, we should not be outrebounded,” Barreiro said. “We’ve been doing a nice job on that in past games. I also thought we committed a few too many fouls.
“Give credit to Masini. She had a real nice game and you can tell she is going to be something special.”
The Fillies’ defense was special, though, Tuesday.
“Palatine is very methodical in their offense,” Barreiro said. “So you have to be very focused on their whole possession. I thought we did a very nice job as a team on defense and I was proud of the kids.”
Schock and the Pirates will prepare for a trip to Schaumburg on Saturday while Barrington hosts Hoffman Estates.
“We’ll rebound from this,” Schock said. “We’ll definitely work on some things and get ready for the Saxons on Saturday.”