Stejskal reaches 1,000 points as Buffalo Grove ousts Grayslake Central

On a night her teammates sank 14 3-pointers, Sammy Stejskal notched a big number herself.

Needing 8 points Tuesday to reach 1,000 for her career, Stejskal hit the number exactly, as Buffalo Grove's girls basketball team opened the state tournament with a 67-47 win over Grayslake Central in a semifinal of the Class 4A Lake Zurich regional.

Maddie Welter scored a game-high 22 points, including six 3s, for No. 2 Buffalo Grove (23-5), which advances to Thursday's 7 p.m. final against host and No. 7 seed Lake Zurich (18-10). Amanda Kowalski added 13 points (four 3-pointers) for the Bison. Georgette Topalis (9 points) and Alyssa Floro (6 points) each made a pair of 3s.

Stejskal, who sat most of the first half due to a pair of first-quarter fouls, did all of her scoring in the second half. The 5-foot-11 senior reached her milestone with three minutes gone in the fourth quarter. She faked a 3-point shot before driving baseline and putting in a layup, increasing the Bison's lead to 57-39.

No. 15 Grayslake Central (15-15) was led by senior Quin Garbett's 15 points, which included a trio of 3-pointers. Amanda Larson contributed 8 points (two 3s) for the Rams, who spotted the Bison a 26-10 lead after one quarter.

Buffalo Grove knocked down 10 3-pointers in the opening half and went into the break up 39-25. The Bison also got 7 points and 11 rebounds from Natali Dimitrova.