Girls basketball / Northwest roundup

Playing for the first time this season without its two senior co-captains, Hersey's girls basketball team found a way to pull out a 49-37 victory over Lyons Township in the fifth-place game of the 31st annual Bill Neibch Falcon Holiday Girls Basketball Classic at Wheaton North High School on Saturday afternoon.

Huskies coach Mary Fendley started four sophomores and a junior as Annie Korff (ankle) and Juliette Vainsi (elbow) were sidelined.

Sophomore Claire Gritt led the way with 16 points, followed by junior Maggie Berigan (15) and sophomore Kelly Weyhrich (14), whose first three baskets came from 3-point range.

Hersey will take an 11-4 record in the new year.

Meadows 39, Loyola 30: Rolling Meadows junior guard Megan King, who had four 3-pointers in two earlier games of the Mundelein tournament, converted five in the first half on Saturday to finish with 15 points as the Mustangs won the third-place game of the 16-team tourney.

Kyra Spiwak added 11 points for the Mustangs who improved to 11-4.

King finished the tourney with 14 3-pointers.

The Mustangs, who had a season-high 12 3-pointers in one game earlier this season, also got a 3-pointer from senior Jamie Berry against the Ramblers (7-5).

"I'm proud of how our kids responded to a rough game the night before (50-28 loss to Vernon Hills)," said Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky who graduated his top eight players from a year ago. "Hannah Mickey, Katherine Nolan, and Morgan Campagna did an outstanding job on the interior. Megan King and Kyra Spiwak hit big shots for us."

Schaumburg 53, Elk Grove 41: Balanced scoring was prominent for the Saxons (7-7) who won the consolation championship of the Wheaton North tournament in a battle of Mid-Suburban League teams.

Junior Paige Alt connected for three 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 14 points, followed by Jada Blackwell (11), Mallory Gerber (8), Brittany Reinhart (8) and Laura O'Connell (7).

Senior Amber Lindfors led Elk Grove (5-8) with 13 points while teammate Marjorie Sloan chipped in 7, including a 3-pointer.

East St. Louis 50, St. Viator 30: East St. Louis made its long trip a worthwhile one by winning the Tom and Megan Blenner Holiday Invitational with a victory over the host Lions in the title game.

Freshman Myia Clark led St. Viator with 12 points, including the Lions' only 3-pointer which came in the second quarter.

Regina 60, Leyden 32: Leyden (6-8) took fourth place at the Tom and Megan Blenner Holiday Invitational at St. Viator as Alondra Chavarria (9 points) and Autumn McGee (7) led the Eagles' offense.

Fenwick 57, Barrington 42: Megan Talbot paced the Fillies (5-8) with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists at the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic. Teammate Bailee McDonald also reached double with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Abigail Elo chipped in 8 points, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Resurrection 62, Maine West 54: Freshman guard Allison Pearson led the Warriors (4-9) with 18 points and 4 assists at the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic.

Junior Kayla Pociejewski added 12 points with a team-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Catherine Johnson also scored 12 points with 6 assists and 4 rebounds while 3 while junior Carly Hart chipped in 9 points.

Palatine 45, Grayslake Central 30: Palatine (7-8) wrapped up play in the Warren tournament by winning for the third time in five games.

Junior Ashley Shapiro (16 points) and freshman Sydney Rzepka (13) were among the top scorers for Palatine. Teammate Monica Masini added 7 points with a 3-pointer.