Maine W. opens with win at Palatine
Beginning his 33rd season, Maine West girls basketball coach Derril Kipp watched his Warriors capture a 45-32 triumph at Palatine on Monday night.
It was the 753rd career victory for the Hall of Fame coach, whose 6-foot senior center Brittany Collins scored a game-high 23 points with 13 rebounds and 3 assists.
Senior point guard Erin Ross added 9 points (3 3-pointers) for the winners, who face Lake Park today at 7:30 p.m. in the Hoffman Estates tournament.
Collins’ post partner, 6-foot-3 senior Julia Hunker, added 5 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Warriors raced to a 13-2 lead after one quarter and led 28-15 at the break.
Collins, a Saint Xavier recruit, now has 1,418 points for her career and 919 rebounds.
Palatine was led by 5-5 senior guard Sami Heuertz (12 points, 2 3-pointers) and 5-9 senior forward Erin Mayer (10) as Mark Johnson made his coaching debut for the Pirates.