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Richardson, Stevenson edge Barrington in OT

Stevenson girls basketball coach Tom Dineen was recently named the school's girls golf head coach, too.

Patriots guard Ashley Richardson is actually considering playing the sport next fall.

The freshman showed she can already tee off at the free throw line.

Richardson made 2 free throws with 49 seconds left in regulation to give Stevenson a 56-55 lead and then made the 2 free throws with 10.6 seconds left in overtime to seal the Patriots' 65-61 victory over Barrington for fifth place Monday night in the Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown.

“She doesn't play like af freshman,” Dineen said of Richardson, who made 7 of 8 free throws and scored 11 points. “She's tough.”

The Pats hung tough all the way despite trailing by as many as 10 points late in the third quarter.

Barrington actually was the first team to make a rally after falling behind 9-2 thanks to three 3-pointers in the first three minutes by Stevenson's Sophia Way.

“I thought we shot the ball well early on, but then we gave up too many points,” Dineen said. “We made some adjustments with our zone, and I thought we did a better job in the second half.”

Way led the Pats with a game-high 21 points, while Taylor Buford added 12.

Jessica Burke, Melanie Despinich and Janine Fajardo all added 7 points for the Pats (10-5).

Angie Kirchoff led Barrington (13-3) with 20 points, followed by Megan Talbot (11), Bailee McDonald (11) and Aoife Callanan (9). Talbot pulled down 16 rebounds while McDonald had 5, and Kelly Katis had 4.

Katis made a big driving layup and hit the ensuing free throw for a 3-point play which gave Barrington a 53-49 lead in the final minute of regulation.

However, Stevenson got a big 3 from Despinich with 1:08 left to get to within 55-54 before the 2 free throws by Richardson gave the Pats the lead at 56-55.

“Mel did a good job inside, too,” Dineen said. “We had six kids get the bulk of the minutes. It's not like we have five starters. We've got six interchangeable kids.”

Way led Stevenson with 7 rebounds, while Buford had 5 and Despinich 4.

Barrington led 34-25 when Auri Grayson made 2 free throws with 1:27 left in the third quarter. The Fillies then took their biggest lead at 36-26 on a layup by Talbot with 0:35 left in the period.

“I'm just disappointed with our level of intensity,” said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro. “I felt like Stevenson outhustled us. That shouldn't happen. It's something we are completely in control of, so I'm disappointed. I think we are better than that.”

It's the second time Kirchoff has scored 20 or more points this season.

“Obviously, she was attacking the basket,” Barreiro said. “And we made our free throws (20-for-25). We just didn't execute when we needed to.”

Richardson executed in the clutch, and at the point guard position.

“Everyone did a great job keeping their composure,” Richardson said. “First off, we should not have fallen behind as much as we did after Sophia got us going with those 3's.”

Dineen liked his team's overall effort in the tournament.

“To come out 3-1 against these four teams here, I'm very pleased,” he said. “This will only help us in January.”

Images: Barrington vs. Stevenson girls basketball

  Stevenson’s Janine Fajardo dives for a loose ball against Barrington in the 31st Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown on Monday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Barrington’s Angie Kirchoff tries to block a shot by Stevenson’s Sophia Way late in the fifth-place game in the 31st Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown on Monday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Stevenson’s Janine Fajardo drives through Barrington defenders in the 31st Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown on Monday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Stevenson’s Sophia Way has her shot blocked by Barrington’s Angie Kirchoff in the 31st Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown on Monday. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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