Fremd wins divisional title in Arizona
The Mid-Suburban League's first girls basketball team to board an airplane for competition will be returning home in high spirits.
Fremd won the third-place game of the Vesper Division of the Nike Tournament of Champions on Monday in Phoenix, Ariz.
The Vikings (13-2) topped McClatchy High School (Ca.) 65-38.
"It was our best game of the tournament," said Fremd coach Dave Yates, whose club went 3-1. "We played four very good quarters.
"To beat a top-15 team from California like this tells us how well we played There are so many good teams from California. The depth of great teams from that state is amazing."
Fremd is one of the best in Illinois, and for the fourth straight time in Arizona the Vikes were led by one of the state's best players.
Duke recruit Haley Gorecki scored a game-high 23 points while junior Erin Lenahan chipped in 12 followed by Bryana Hopkins (8).
"Erin Lenahan had a great game," Yates said.
The MSL West-leading Vikes (3-0) are off now until Jan. 6 when they host MSL East-leading Prospect (9-0, 3-0) at 7:30 p.m.
"We had an amazing showing against an amazing group of teams," Yates said of the visit to Phoenix. "It was an amazing trip. It was sunny and mid-60s every day.
"The kids and families had a trip they will never forget and we are very thankful that our district allowed us to travel and very proud of how we represented the district at a national level."
Wheeling 49, Lake Forest 23: Hailey Dammeier (15 points), Melissa Claver (11) and Hannah Dobrowski (10) led the Wildcats (9-4) in their second game of the Warren tournament.
Deanna Kuzmanic added 6 points, 6 steals and 6 assists as the Wildcats moved to 2-0 in the six-team event.
Conant 71, Lake Park 30: DeeDee Durr (13 points, 2 assist), Alissa Wachal (10 points), Brie Murphy (9 points, 5 rebounds), Nireet Dhillon (9 points, 4 assists) and Haley Anderson (8 points, 5 rebounds) were top scorers for the Cougars (7-2) in their opening game of the Mundelein tournament.
Rolling Meadows 63, Streamwood 20: Megan King hit four 3-pointers for all 12 of her game-high points as the Mustangs (9-3) rolled in their first-round game of the Mundelein tournament.
Katherine Nolan added 9 points while Kyra Spiwak and Hannah Mickey had 8 apiece for the winners, who saw a total of 11 players score.
"We had a nice start to the tournament," said Mustangs coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "We had contributions from everyone on the roster."
Loyola 59, Hoffman Estates 26: Sophomore Monraia Wilson led the Hawks with 10 points in an opening-round game of the Mundelein tournament.
Hannah Dusharm and Mary Saitta converted 3-pointers for the Hawks (2-9).
Hersey 88, Elgin 16: No. 2 seed Hersey got off to a winning start in the Wheaton North tournament as Claire Gritt (19 points), Juliette Vainisi (15) and Annie Korff (14) were its top scorers.
Kelly Weyhrich had a pair of 3-pointers for Hersey (9-3) while sophomores Gina Miklasz and Carly Cooper each had one.
Glenbrook South 45, Schaumburg 35: The Saxons (4-7) led 11-10 early in the second quarter of the opening round game of the Wheaton North tourney.
But the top-seeded Titans (12-0) went on a 7-0 run to close out the first half for a 20-15 advantage.
Jada Blackwell led Schaumburg with 12 points, followed by Tatiana Doroskin (8), Brittany Reinhart (9) and Paige Alt (6).
Hinsdale Central 63, Elk Grove 36: Amber Lindfors (13 points) was the top scorer for Elk Grove (3-7) in its opening game of the Wheaton North tournament. Sarah Pauscher, O'Rayn Macavoy and Taylor Matos each had 5 points for the Grens, who received 3-pointers from Alex Masnica and Sara Engler.