Conant advances to Mundelein title game
No one can say the Conant girls basketball players can't improvise.
Trailing by 1 point during a timeout with 15 seconds left in Wednesday's game, the Cougars drew up a play designed for junior guard Jorie Wachal to hopefully take the final winning shot.
"We tried to run the play to her, but they (Prairie Ridge players) all went toward her," said Cougars coach Deidre Naughton.
So Wachal alertly got the ball to junior Michelle Benson, who made a baseline drive.
Benson then spotted sophomore Cate Fitzgerald on the other side of the baseline and flipped the pass to her teammate.
Fitzgerald had enough time to connect on the 15-footer and lift the Cougars to a dramatic 34-33 triumph in the semifinals of the Mundelein Holiday Tournament.
The defending champion Cougars (6-8) will meet Libertyville (7-7) in Saturday's title game at 8 p.m.
"The girls are so pumped about playing for the championship," Naughton said.
The Cougars return to the title matchup with just one starter, Wachal, back from last year's championship team. That group defeated Vernon Hills 57-39 in the final game.
Wachal was one of only three Cougars to score Wednesday.
She had a game-high 14 points while Benson and Fitzgerald each reached season-highs with 10 points apiece.
It marked the first time the Cougars have had more than one player in double figures this season.
"It was great," Naughton said. "A good all-around team effort. Both teams were exhausted playing their third game in three days and they (Prairie Ridge) had an overtime win the night before. And neither team plays too many girls off the bench. Both teams just kept digging in."
The Cougars will try to defend their title against a Libertyville team that defeated Grayslake North 51-40 in the other semifinal.
"They've (Libertyville) got a good inside game," said Naughton, whose club defeated the Wildcats 45-31 in the quarterfinals of the tourney a year ago. "And some physical guards. It will be a good test for us."
Cary-Grove 51, Hoffman Estates 42: Erin Hanson (season-high 20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals) and Monraia Wilson (10 points, 10 rebounds, 6 steals, 4 assists) were the top scorers for the Hawks (7-7 in the Mundelein Holiday Tournament.
Jennifer Nailor and Katelyn Mongold each chipped in 5 points for the Hawks, who will face Mundelein in their final tourney game at noon Saturday.
Glenbrook South 61, Schaumburg 31: Junior Laura O'Connell (8 points, 3 rebounds) and classmate Mallory Gerber (6 points, 4 rebounds) led Schaumburg (8-6) in the semifinals of the 32nd annual Bill Neibch Falcon Classic at Wheaton North.
Schaumburg will face Lyons Township for third place at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Palatine 42, West Aurora 23: Freshman guard Elena Porrata (13 points, 4 assists) and sophomore forward Sydney Rzepka (12 points, 5 rebounds) led the Pirates (6-9), who will play for the Wheaton North consolation championship at 3 p.m. Saturday against Glenbard North.
Reggie Much added 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists for Palatine while teammate Brittany Shapiro had 6 points and 2 rebounds.
Much and Porrata each had three 3-pointers.
Willowbrook 47, Elk Grove 35: Senior Sarah Pauscher led the Grenadiers (2-12) with 15 points and 6 rebounds while sophomore Zoe Blomquist and senior Carly Crothers each had 5 rebounds in tournament play at Wheaton North.
Teammate Taylor Matos chipped in 5 points with 3 rebounds.
Elk Grove will meet Elgin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.