Hersey finds winning rhythm against Rolling Meadows

Hersey's girls basketball team was comfortable and confident while listening to music prior to Thursday's regional semifinal at its own Ken Carter Gymnasium in Arlington Heights.

"It was like a dance party," said Huskies senior center Maggie Berigan with a smile. "Some people can dance, some can't."

Once the Huskies hit the basketball floor, they sure were stepping in tune - and smiling afterward.

Led in scoring by Claire Gritt (15 points) and Gina Miklasz (12), two juniors who also sparked the defense, the No. 4-seeded Huskies won their 16th regional title in school history by defeating No. 5 Rolling Meadows 53-36.

Hersey (25-4) will face the winner of today's Warren regional championship (top-seeded Fremd vs. No. 9 Warren) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Stevenson sectional semifinals.

"This one was for Fend," said Hersey assistant coach Julia Barthel, referring to head coach Mary Fendley who is on an extended medical leave. "The team was loose and confident but the most important aspect of this team's success is that they trust each other."

The Huskies' faithful saw their team start to pull away late in the first quarter.

A rebound layup by senior Hannah Mickey (5 rebounds, 5 points, 1 assist) got Meadows (19-10) to within 7-5 but Miklasz answered with a 3-pointer, followed by Carly Cooper's steal and layup and Berigan's 8-foot bank shot for a 14-5 advantage with 2:25 left in the period.

Meadows fell behind by as many 12 points but got back to within by half when Mickey's layup made it 26-21.

"I'm so proud of Hannah Mickey (four offensive rebounds)," said Mustangs coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "I thought she had one of her best games of the season."

Senior Megan King's 3-pointer early in the second half brought Meadows to within 28-24 but that's as close as the Mustangs would get.

Hersey went on a 13-4 run and led 41-29 after three quarters.

The Huskies pretty much put the game away when they started the final period with a 3-pointer by Gritt, and 17-footers by Miklasz and Cooper to increase the lead to 48-29 with 5:42 left.

Hersey was able to breathe much easier in the fourth quarter this time than they did in their first two wins over Meadows (50-46 in overtime, and 54-44).

"This game we came out really focused," said Berigan, who had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. "We wanted to do it for each other. That was our big motivator."

"It's always hard to play a team three times, especially a conference team," Miklasz added. "But this time we were really focused on our own team game."

Miklasz and Cooper had big defensive assignments on the Mustangs' Spiwak (14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist) and junior Morgan Campagna (6 points, 4 rebounds).

"Defensively, the combination of Gina and Carly is unbelievable," Barthel said. "They have consistently shut people down game after game."

Hersey held Meadows to its fewest points in a game this season.

"The team works so well together on defense," added Miklasz, who had 2 steals. "Everyone really provides good help and stepped up this game."

Junior Katherine Nolan (5 points) led the Mustangs with 7 rebounds. Classmate Kelsey Nallon had 2 rebounds along with a 3-pointer in the third quarter.

Hersey sophomore Erin McGrath (4 blocked shots) scored 6 of her 8 points in the first half while junior teammate Kelly Weyhrich chipped in 6 points.

"We played Hersey twice and I've seen them play a number of other times," Kirkorsky said. "They have consistently been a great team all season. Tonight, they were excellent at both ends of the floor."

"In addition to Hannah, I can't say enough about our other two seniors Megan King and Meghan Slowik. Just on a daily basis, the three of them are people who you want as your senior leaders."