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Fremd's strength shows in victory over Simeon

With one of the top teams in the state, Fremd girls basketball coach Dave Yates never wants to back down from a strong challenge.

He got one Saturday afternoon from Simeon at Whitney's Young's Chi-town Showdown.

Despite playing without starter Erin Lenahan, who was sidelined by a minor leg injury, the Vikings pulled out a hard-fought 49-40 triumph.

Junior guard Brianna Lewis tossed in a game-high 18 points (16 in the second half) with 4 assists to help lead the Vikings to their 11th straight win without a loss this season.

Fremd trailed 23-18 at intermission and then outscored the Wolverines 15-7 in the third quarter.

"Brianna (Lewis) really stepped up in the second half and took the game over," Yates said.

Junior Grace Tworek finished with 10 points and a team-high 12 rebounds while Bryana Hopkins had 10 rebounds with her 8 points.

"Grace got in foul trouble early and didn't play much in the first half," Yates said. "She played a great second half. Grace and Bry (Hopkins) controlled the boards in the second half."

Missy Adrian and Julia Wacker each had 5 rebounds for Fremd.

"We struggled to knock down shots in the first half and the score was indicative of that," Yates said. "Simeon has great size and great athletes and I think that also had something to do with it."

Junior Hayley Williams hit four 3-pointers for all 12 of her points.

"Haley Williams came off the bench and hit some big threes," Yates said. "I was very pleased with our kids composure. We came out strong, took the lead back, and led the entire half."

Simeon became only the second team to get to within double digits of Fremd this season (Rolling Meadows lost by 9 points, too).

"This is why we come down to play here," said Yates, who expects Lenahan back when Conant visits on Friday.

"There is great energy in this gym and we got to play a big and athletic team and face some adversity. It was a good gritty, tough win and it was great to be challenged like this."

Glenbrook South 50, Prospect 39: This nonconference matinee in Glenview featured two coaches with deep ties to Prospect.

Glenbrook South Hall of Fame coach Steve Weissenstein was a guard for the Knights in the early 1980s while Prospect first-year coach Gabrielle Lovin is the No. 3 all-time leader scorer (1,304 points) at Prospect.

Coincidentally, Lovin's last high school game was against Weissenstein's Titans in the 2004 Prospect sectional.

On Saturday, Glenbrook South was led offensively by senior Caitlin Morrison (16 points) and junior Carie Weinman (14).

Pacing Prospect (5-6) was guard Angela Villasin, whose scored 12 of her 13 points in the second a half. Classmate Brenda Kendziera scored 8 of her 10 points in the first half.

Prospect trailed 34-17 at half.

"We ended the first half with 12 turnovers and poor shot choices," Lovin said. "The second half we changed our perspective and made better choices."

Villasin (2 steals), Clare O'Carroll, Emily Frasco, Kendra Gancarz and Kendziera (3 steals) each had 4 rebounds.

Margherite Pettenuzzo (6 points) had Prospect's only 3-pointer and Nikki Matters added 5 points.

Prospect, which railed by as any as 20 points, closed to with 5 points with two minutes left in the game.

"I am very proud of how we believed in ourselves and fought back," Lovin said. "Glenbrook South is a very strong team and I am proud of how we came together."

The Knights were without senior forward Angela Roman due to an eye injury.

"So to hang in there without one of our starters out is impressive," Lovin added.

Huntley 46, Barrington 34: The Fillies were led by Megan Talbot (17 points), Abigail Elo (8) and Kelly Katis (5).

Talbot had five 3-pointers while Elo and Katis had two apiece.

The Fillies led 21-20 at half but were outscored 26-15 in the second half.

South Elgin 68, Schaumburg 64: The visiting Saxons (5-4) were led by junior Lauren O'Connell's season-high 22 points while classmates Mallory Gerber added 19 and Maya Bowens 10 in the nonconference game.

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