Fremd slips up against Loyola
It went down to the wire, and Fremd's state-ranked girls basketball team almost pulled out its second victory in less than 17 hours.
But Loyola was able to overcome a huge performance by all-area junior Haley Gorecki (25 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals) and survived 48-46 over the Vikings, ranked No. 4 in the Class 4A poll.
Sophomore guard Brianna Lewis, a key spark to the Vikes' offense, did not play due to illness.
The nonconference game in Wilmette was stopped four times due to players slipping on the court along the sideline due to wetness on the floor, including a 10-minute delay early in the second quarter.
Erin Lenahan added 7 points for the Vikes (20-3), followed by Erica Simios (5) and Emily Bieda (4).
Fremd was down by 4 points with 1:30 left in the game and was forced to foul.
The host Ramblers made 10-of-10 free throws in the fourth quarter to maintain the lead.
Gorecki's 3-pointer with 10 seconds left made it 48-46.
“We were in control of the game for the entire first half,” said Fremd coach Dave Yates, whose team led 24-20 at the break. “Credit Loyola, they made some big shots (7 3-pointers) to answer any run we made. We had plenty of chances throughout the game to distance ourselves from them and we failed to capitalize on those opportunities.”
The Vikings were 8-0 in January.
“Hopefully this game reminds us that we have to bring it to every game no matter the circumstances,” Yates said.
Mundelein 44, Palatine 42: Senior guard Sami Heuertz scored a season-high 17 points while Monica Masini chipped in 9 and Morgan Radtke 6 for the Pirates (8-16).
Palatine coach Mark Johnson was disappointed with his team's free throw shooting (10-for-22) but pleased with the way his team competed against a Mundelein team that's had plenty of success this season.
“We really challenged our kids (after a 40-22 loss to Conant in MSL West play Friday),” Johnson said. “And they responded well.”
Niles North 52, Hoffman Estates 40: Junior guard Mary Saitta scored a team-high 13 points (two 3-pointers) before injuring her knee in the first minute of the second half.
She did not play the rest of the game but coach Mike Nocella hopes she and leading scorer Monraia Wilson (ankle), a freshman, will be ready Tuesday at Palatine.
The Hawks (4-18) are also without their first player off the bench, sophomore Alexis Morris, also with an ankle injury.
Senior Andrea Wolinski (7 rebounds, 3 steals) added 10 points for Hoffman while sophomore Erin Hanson (5 assists) and freshman Maya Bowens (5 rebounds, 3 assists) each had 5 points.