Wheeling wins Warren tourney; Fremd 5th at Montini

With junior guard HaileyDammeier scoring a career-high 20 points in a 58-46 win over Deerfield on Saturday, Wheeling’s girls basketball team won the Warren tournament with a 4-1 record.

Carmel also went 4-1 but the Wildcats defeated the Corsairs 45-42 in head-to-head competition of the six-team round robin event in Gurnee.

Senior Deanna Kuzmanic added 13 points and Hannah Dobrowski 12 for the Wildcats, who are now 8-8.

Fremd 54, Neuqua Valley 52: Playing in what is considered the toughest girls basketball Christmas tournament in the state, Fremd could hardly complain about its fifth-place finish.

Senior Haley Gorecki, who has been showing a knack for closing out games, did it again Saturday when she hit the game-winning jump shot with nine seconds left.

The senior guard had 7 of her game-high 22 points in the final quarter while sophomore Bryana Hopkins added 5 points in the final eight minutes.

The Wildcats missed a short jumper and a putback as time expired.

“Going 3-1 and finishing fifth is a great accomplishment for our team,” said Fremd coach Dave Yates, whose club improved to 12-2. “We played three ranked teams and really got tested. That is what makes this tournament the best in the state hands down.”

The Vikings trailed 26-19 after one quarter.

“We went to man-to-man defense after the first quarter,” Yates aid. “And then we held them to 26 points (for the next three quarters.

“We really did a nice job considering how talented they are on offense. We turned the ball over a bunch in the first quarter and settled down for the rest of the game.”

Neuqua Valley had three players score 14 points (Kai Moon, Najee Smith and Malia Smith).

“Neuqua is one of the quickest teams in the state and they definitely gave us some problems,” Yates aid. “That’s a credit to coach (Mike) Williams and his kids.”

Gorecki also had 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.

“Haley had an outstanding tournament,” Yates said. “Her ability to take the game over at critical moments game was very impressive. This is a great tournament, I think she proved herself to be one of the best players every night.”

Hopkins finished with 8 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals while Brianna Lewis collected 6 points, 7 assists and 3 steals.

Erin Lenahan and Erica Simios also chipped in 6 points for the Vikes.

“The second-round games in this tournament could be championship games in any other tournament in Illinois over the holidays,” Yates said. “I think this experience will help us down the road. We know we can play and beat the best.”

Conant 43, Vernon Hills 35: Conant held 2013 Class 3A state runner-up Vernon Hills to under 8 points in each of the final three quarters to win the third-place game of the 16-team Mundelein tournament.

The Cougars (10-6) were led on offense by Sarah Mazurek (11 points) Lexi Zades (11), Jorri Wachal (8) and Haley Anderson (6).

St. Viator 48, Regina 36: St. Viator (9-6), which received 15 points from junior guard Susie Moynihan, won the championship game of its own Snowflake Classic with a 4-0 record.

The Lions’ Moynihan, Jessia Hohlweg and Maddie McAteer were named to the all-tourney team.

Schaumburg 41, Elk Grove 28: Tatiana Doroskin (14 points, 4 rebounds) and Lilly Chavarria (9 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals) led the Saxons (3-11) in this matchup of Mid-Suburban League teams at the Wheaton North tourney.

Mallory Gerber added 6 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals for the winners while teammate Laura O’Connell grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

Senior Melissa Solorio led Elk Grove (4-10) with 15 points, three 3-pointers and 4 rebounds.

All-tourney selection Amber Lindfors had 6 rebounds. Alex Masnica also a had a 3-pointer for the Grens.

Fenton 45, Leyden 34: Leyden was 2-2 in the St. Viator Snowflake Tournament and took fourth place.

The Eagles (5-6) were led on Saturday by all-tourney selection Alondra Chavarria and teammate Autumn McGee, who each scored 12 points.

Palatine 52, Warren 50: Senior Morgan Radtke scored a career-high 26 points with two 3-pointers as Palatine improved 6-10 and finished 2-3 in the Warren tournament.

Senior Morgan Gallagher (four 3-pointers) added 12 points for the Pirates while teammate Sami Heuertz added 8 and Erin Mayer 7.

Hoffman Estates 43, Lake Park 25: Hoffman Estates (3-12) got its second win at the Mundelein tournament as freshman Monraia Wilson led the way with 14 points.

Junior Mary Saitta, coming off a 20-point performance the day before against Highland Park, added 13 points with three 3-pointers for the Hawks and senior teammate Andrea Wolinski had 9.