Record output from Vernon Hills’ Smith
Sydney Smith tied Vernon Hills’ single-game scoring record in the Cougars’ season opener.
The senior forward didn’t wait long to break it.
Smith scored 35 points and grabbed 7 rebounds Tuesday night, as Vernon Hills opened defense of its North Suburban Prairie Division championship with a 51-31 rout of visiting Lakes.
Smith hit 16 shots from the floor, including two 3-pointers, and made her only free throw. She scored 8 points in the opening quarter in helping the Cougars build a 16-11 lead and added 13 in the second quarter, as the hosts extended their advantage to 33-12.
Smith dropped in 8 points again in the third quarter and 6 more in the fourth. In Vernon Hills’ season-opening win over Maine East, the Vermont recruit scored 29 points, tying Lauren Horan’s school record.
Vernon Hills (6-0, 1-0) also received 8 points and 6 rebounds from Mia Polisky.
Lakes (0-6, 0-1) was led by Kelsey Kohler’s 9 points and Sam Ney’s 8 (two 3s).
Stevenson 49, Libertyville 48: The visiting Patriots prevailed in the North Suburban Lake opener, despite squandering a 10-point late in the fourth quarter.
Taylor Buford’s game-high 16 points led Stevenson (4-2, 1-0), which was up 10-6 after one quarter, 24-18 at halftime and 37-29 after three. Janine Fajardo added 12 points for the Patriots. Jessica Burke and Sophia Way scored 9 and 8 points, respectively.
Libertyville’s Mary Wilterdink sank three 3-pointers in the fourth, while Becky Deichl and Jessica Van Roeyen also sank 3s in the quarter. Wilterdink’s 14 points led the Wildcats. Claire Keefe had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
“We’re proud that our players had their backs against the wall and they never, never quit,” Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen said.
Wauconda 43, Crystal Lake Central 35: Dani Sturm had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, as the host Bulldogs earned their first win of the season in nonconference action.
Jessie Wood also scored 8 points for Wauconda (1-2), while Lauren Need chipped in 7. Jackie Lung grabbed 12 rebounds.
Grant 70, Round Lake 31: Kaylie Kanzler poured in 25 points, including three 3-pointers, for the Bulldogs in the North Suburban Prairie opener.
Grant (2-4, 1-0) also received double-digit points from sophomores Jordynn Hundley (14, three 3s) and Jasmine Sangster (11). Deanna Rodriguez hit a pair of 3s and finished with 8 points.
Justice Clark had 10 points, including a 3-pointer, for Round Lake (1-5, 0-1).
Grayslake North 53, Johnsburg 33: Kendall Detweiler poured in a season-high 30 points, as the visiting Knights began defense of their Fox Valley Fox Division championship with a 20-point win.
Detweiler sank 12 field goals, including three 3s, and was 3 of 3 from the foul line. She had 28 points after three quarters in helping the Knights build a 42-28 advantage.
Sidney Lovitsch added 10 points for Grayslake North (4-2, 1-0).
Lake Zurich 52, Lake Forest 32: The host Bears won the North Suburban Lake Division opener.