Fremd turns back Meadows' tough newcomers

Even though the Rolling Meadows girls basketball team graduated its top eight players from back-to-back Class 4A state runner-up teams, the Mustangs still played state power Fremd to an exciting game in Wednesday's championship of the Turkey Thriller.

"Maybe it just doesn't matter," said Fremd coach Dave Yates, after watching his team go all out to finally put away the Mustangs 53-44 at Lake Zurich High School.

Meadows (4-1) led 16-15 following a driving layup by sophomore Morgan Campagna (3 steals) with 5:42 left in the first half.

The game's high scorer, Haley Gorecki (26 points), answered with back-to-back 3-pointers to regain the lead for Fremd at 21-16.

But the Mustangs would never go away and still trailed only trailed 45-42 with 4:49 left after a 3-pointer by senior guard Jamie Berry.

"Obviously, we are not happy with the loss," Berry said. "But we are happy how we played. We came out ready and didn't back down.

"Fremd (5-0) is ranked No. 1 (in some preseason polls) and is an amazing team. But this gives us confidence that we can get into our Mid-Suburban East and win in any game."

The Vikings finally won by making 4 of 4 free throws (2 apiece by Gorecki and Hopkins) in the final 54 seconds.

"They have different players, but they're still a good group of girls," said Gorecki, who also had 7 rebounds and 3 steals. '"Every time we play Meadow it's a good, competitive game."

No one had been within 27 points of Fremd in its first four games.

"It's good to have a game like this," Gorecki said. "Because we have another tough one on Friday night."

That game will be in Milwaukee against Wisconsin's two-time player of the year Arike Ogunbowale, a 5-foot-9 Notre Dame recruit who plays for the Divine Savior Holy Angels.

Fremd junior Brianna Lewis chipped in 12 points while classmate Bryana Hopkins had 7 with 10 rebounds and 4 steals.

"They were definitely a different team but they still have all the intensity and it was a close game to the end," Hopkins said. "It's always good to be challenged like this. But we have to be able make our shots and free throws."

Yates would have liked to have seen the Vikes make more of their short shots.

"We missed way too many layups," he said. "It was in the teens. I think we understand we have to get better at that. To win a game like this where you didn't play your best is something every team wants."

The Mustangs want to get back on the winning track soon after having a four-game winning streak snapped.

"We're really proud of these first five games," said Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "As I said at the beginning of the season, each day with this group my expectations rise. We should be disappointed we didn't find a way to win his game. But it gives us so much to build upon."

Berry made the Vikes work on defense and scored 5 points, including the clutch 3-pointer.

"Jamie has been our MVP so far," Kirkorsky said of the 5-foot-4 first-year starter.

"Since we've been playing with those eight seniors (who graduated) every day in practice, we are not afraid of anything," Berry said.

Sophomore Kyra Spiwak wasn't afraid to drive to the basket as she collected 18 points and handed out 4 assists. Junior Megan King added 7 points for the Mustangs while sophomore Katherine Nolan had 7 rebounds and junior Hannah Mickey 4.

King and Nallon each had key 3-pointers in the first quarter.

Sophomore Grace Tworek and Julia Wacker each had 4 important points in the second half to help the Vikes maintain the advantage.

"I thought Rolling Meadows hit some big shots to hang around," said Yates, whose team also won the inaugural Turkey Thriller in 2011 and was co-champs with Meadows last year. "We'd get the lead up to 6 or 7, then they would make a big one. Kudos to them for that."