Kuzmanic (35 points) excels in home finale victory
Playing her final home game of a standout four-year girls basketball career at Wheeling High School, Deanna Kuzmanic put up one of her finest performances.
The Alabama-Birmingham recruit scored a season-high 35 points with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals as the Wildcats raced past visiting Barrington 56-39 in the Mid-Suburban League crossover on Tuesday night.
"It was quite a game," said Wheeling coach Matt Weber, who has had quite a first season in directing the Wildcats to 20 wins. "It was the best individual performance I've seen this year and last year as an assistant."
Kuzmanic, whose career high is 39 points, fired home four 3-pointers and was 5-of-7 from the free throw line.
"Deanna did everything, she was an all-around leader," Weber added. "She knew that they were trying to face guard her and she knew she had to play a different game. That's the mark of a great basketball player. Deanna has a very high basketball IQ."
Weber credits his players for his team's 20-7 record in his first season, which included the championship of the Warren Christmas tournament with a 5-0 record.
"It's all the girls," he said. "They worked hard for everything and that's what makes a great team. It's playing together as a team."
Melissa Claver added 9 points for the Wildcats while Shannon Kennedy came off the bench and tossed in 6.
"Melissa Claver, Lani Greenberg, Hannah Dobrowski and Michaela Vasey all worked so hard in the post," Weber said. "And Hailey Dammeier played great defense."
Megan Talbot led the Fillies (10-17) with 11 points while Kelly Katis added 7.
Buffalo Grove 66, Schaumburg 64: Sammy Stejskal (21 points), Maddie Welter (15) and Natali Dimitrova (10) were top scorers for host BG (19-10) in the MSL crossover.
Jada Blackwell scored 23 points for Schaumburg (13-13) while Tatiana Doroskin added 11.
Rolling Meadows 46, Palatine 30: Kyra Spiwak (12 points) and Morgan Campagna (11) were leading scorers for the host Mustangs (18-9) in the MSL crossover contest.
"It was a good way to end our regular season," said Rolling Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "We received contributions from everyone on the roster. Clare Preissing provided some good minutes off the bench and Morgan Campagna played one of her most complete games of the season."
Monica Masini lead Palatine (13-15) with 8 points.
Hoffman Estates 55, Elk Grove 52: Sophomore Monraia Wilson (17 points), sophomore Tayler Williams (13) and junior Erin Hanson (11) were top scorers for visiting Hoffman Estates (5-20) in the MSL crossover.
Williams had three 3-pointers and Wilson two. Jennifer Nailor and Hanson each had one apiece.
The Hawks outscored Elk Grove 19-6 in the final eight minutes.
"It was a very exciting fourth quarter," said Hawks first-year coach Mike Koester. "Hopefully we can take the momentum into the regional."
O'Rayn Macavoy (21 points) and Amber Lindfors (19) paced the Grens (7-19)
Cary-Grove 42, Maine West 35: Catherine Johnson (9 points), Michelle Fox (8) and Kayla Pociejewski (6) led the scoring for the host Warriors (7-19) in the nonconference game.