Make that a fourth straight regional title for Vernon Hills

Monica Bahlmann scored 18 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, and Vernon Hills' girls basketball team won its fourth Class 3A regional championship in a row Thursday night, 67-37 over Chicago Latin at Vernon Hills.

Kasey Firnbach added 17 points (three 3-pointers), 8 rebounds and 7 assists for the No. 3 Vernon Hills (22-7), which advances to the Antioch sectional and will play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against the winner of tonight's Chicago Northside regional final between No. 7 Lakes and No. 2 North Chicago.

The Cougars also received 9 points from Becky Bahlmann, 8 from Mia Polisky and 7 from Katie Brettmann.

Alexis Stevenson scored the 1,000th point off her career for No. 6 Latin. She finished with 13 points.

Lakes 52, Chicago Northside 41: At Chicago Northside on Wednesday night, Ellie Haviland scored 17 points to lead the Eagles in the Class 3A regional semifinal.

"I am proud of the kids for being on the bus for almost two hours in traffic and getting themselves ready to play," Eagles coach Pete Schneider said. "It was a long trip and we came out a little sluggish, but the kids responded and shook off the drowsiness."

No. 7 Lakes will play No. 2 North Chicago in the regional championship at 7 p.m. today.

Lakes led No. 10 Northside by just four points at halftime but came out strong to start the third quarter. Olivia Pawlak led an 8-0 run with two quick post baskets and a free throw.

"We told Olivia that she needed to be more assertive in the post and told our guards to look in to her," Schneider said. "Ellie Haviland played a good game controlling the tempo."

Despite being limited by a bruised knee, Natalie Iacopetti scored 10 points in limited action for Lakes. Olivia Pawlak and Natalie Pawlak each had 8 rebounds. Schneider credited Alyssa Brey and Shannon Hurlbut for playing great defense. Haviland sank 9 of 12 free throws, including 7 of 7 in the fourth quarter.

"Northside played hard and gave us a good game," Schneider said. "They have some good players that handle the ball well."