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Fremd fares well in spite of fouls

With as many scoring threats as it possesses, the highly-ranked Fremd girls basketball likes a high-tempo game.

But with new rules that have officials keeping a closer eye on hand checks and contact, games have been seeing a few more fouls than usual.

“We all have to get used to new rules,” said Fremd junior Haley Gorecki. “Even our coaches in practice keep saying ‘move your feet, move your feet’ (to avoid making contact with the hands). Hopefully, after a few more games everyone will get it down.

“We don’t like walking back and forth to the free throw line. We’d rather play a fast-paced game.”

Even with the more-frequent stoppages of play, the Vikings are still scoring at a high rate.

They surpassed 60 points for the second straight game, this time posting a 70-40 triumph over visiting Lake Zurich on Wednesday night in a second-round game of the Bears’ own Turkey Thriller Tournament.

Fremd shot 28 free throws (made 19) while the Bears attempted 15 and converted 10.

“You can see it is obviously affecting the game,” Yates said. “It’s hard to defend free throws. There’s no defense for that.”

Regardless, it’s always going to be hard to defend Fremd.

Gorecki led the way Wednesday with 24 points, followed by sophomore Brianna Lewis (13), sophomore Erin Lenahan (10) and senior Hannah LaBarge (10).

“We are very young and very inexperienced,” said Lake Zurich coach Chris Bennett. “But that’s no excuse. Dave’s team was ready. That’s a darn good basketball team.”

Five different players scored for Fremd in the first quarter as the Vikings led 26-9.

Gorecki had 11 of those points while Lewis added 6 with 4 assists .

“She’s (Lewis) tough to control,” Bennett added. “I thought she did a nice job for them. And their post players are young but you can tell they will be nice players.”

Fremd freshman Grace Tworek pulled down 4 rebounds while sophomore teammate Bryana Hopkins had 6 rebounds with 3 assists and 2 steals.

Lenehan also had a game-high 5 steals.

Hopkins and Erica Simios each contributed 5 points for the defending Mid-Suburban League champs while teammate Julia Wacker had a pair of free throws.

“Everyone came to play and everyone looked to score,” Lewis said. “When that happens, we are OK. Everyone has to pitch in because you never know what will happen. Everyone has to be able to step up.”

Next up for Lake Zurich is nationally-ranked Rolling Meadows, ranked No. 2 in the preseason Associated Press poll.

“Who was in charge of scheduling?,” Bennett, the schedule-maker, joked. “OK, that was me.

“We are always going to play the best schedule we can. I love my team. The girls are practicing hard. They are enthusiastic. I thought we played hard. We’ve just got to clear up some issues. And we’ll keep working.”

Bears sophomore guard Abby Pirron worked her way for a team-high 13 points while sophomore Frankie Nasca (2 3-pointers) and junior Elly Daleske each chipped in 6. Junior Kaylee Grant added 5 for the Bears (0-2), who face Meadows on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Lake Zurich.

Fremd (2-0) returns to action that same night with a 7 p.m. game against Lakes in Palatine.

Yates expects junior guard Emily Bieda (concussion) back on Friday.

“We’re not where we want to be,” Gorecki said. “We have high expectations. We can do a lot more than we did this game.

“It’s not fun with all the fouls being called. But hopefully everyone will get used to what they have to do defensively and there won’t be as many and we’ll be back to normal.”

“There is an adjustment period for everyone,” Yates said. “For the officials, the players and the coaches. But we’ll get there.”

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