Smith becomes VH’s all-time leading scorer in victory

Sydney Smith reached another milestone in her Vernon Hills’ basketball career Wednesday night.

The four-year varsity starter became the Cougars’ all-time leading scorer in their 49-31 win over host Lake Forest in a North Suburban Conference crossover.

Smith scored 12 points, giving her 1,404 in her career. Coach Paul Brettner said Lake Forest deployed a box and one against Smith, who came in averaging 21.5 ppg. She also grabbed 6 rebounds.

Mia Polisky added 10 points for Vernon Hills (12-5). Kasey Firnbach and Danielle Comitor had 7 rebounds each. Monica Bahlmann chipped in 8 points for the Cougars.

Lake Forest’s Annie Keller led all scorers with 18 points.

Stevenson 58, Lakes 36: Janine Fajardo scored 11 points, and Ashley Richardson and Taylor Buford added 10 apiece, as the host Patriots started the new year with a North Suburban crossover win.

Stevenson (11-5) also received 8 points from Sophia Way and 7 from Jessica Burke. The Patriots led 14-10 after one quarter and 25-18 at halftime. They then outscored the Eagles 16-4 in the third quarter.

“It was good to start the new year with a win,” coach Tom Dineen said. “It was tough with the layoff and snow days, but it was the same for both teams. We were a little sluggish at the start, but I thought we finished the second half well.”

Lakes (3-13) received 11 points from Sam Ney and 10 from Olivia Pawlak.

Wauconda 47, Lake Zurich 30: Playing their first game since Dec. 21, the visiting Bulldogs jumped out to a 16-6 lead after one quarter and were up 24-12 at halftime en route to the North Suburban crossover win.

Jackie Lung had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals for Wauconda (7-5), while Katie Rossetti added 8 points and 7 rebounds. Amber Head contributed 4 steals, and Dani Sturm grabbed 6 rebounds for Wauconda.

Lake Zurich (5-10) received 7 points from Elly Daleske.