Fremd in fine form again at Warren
OK, Fremd girls basketball players, your invitation to future North Suburban Conference events doesn't seem very likely.
But after tossing a first-half shutout in a regional-opening win against Lakes, at least that kind of history did not repeat on Friday in regional final play in Gurnee.
Rebekah Foley of Warren drilled a 3-pointer early in the first quarter of the regional title game at Warren on Friday. Also landing 3-pointers in the first half for Warren were Kaylen Dickson and Jordyn Hughes.
Still, Warren (17-13) was no match for this powerhouse from Palatine.
Fremd (26-2) led 36-11 at halftime and claimed another regional title with a 53-20 romp.
The state top-ranked Class 4A team heads to the Stevenson sectional for a semifinal matchup at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Hersey.
The Vikings trot out not one, two but three 6-foot-2 players, and that helped silence the Warren offense. In the second and third quarters, Warren was held to a total of 4 points.
"It's really exciting to be back here,'' said one those 6-2 Fremd standouts, senior Bryana Hopkins (17 points, 9 rebounds). "We really came out with energy. Our goal is to go back to state but we are taking one game at time. It's about the next game."
Warren remained in this contest for the first quarter. The Blue Devils trailed by just 7 heading to the second quarter. Warren coach John Stanczykiewicz knew his team was at a disadvantage heading into this game.
"They are long,'' Stanczykiewicz said. "They are tall. And they run that halfcourt 2-2-1. It's like playing against six or seven players. They are the No. 1 team in the state and they move the ball quickly. To our credit, we played hard."
The Vikings went on a 20-0 run in the second quarter to put the game out of reach. Five-foot-3 guard, Brianna Lewis (10 points) had 7 of her points in this quarter. Amanda McCartney had a personal 5-point run with the team's lone 3-pointer, and Hopkins also had a 7-point quarter.
"We've got plenty of size and we have another 6-2 girl who comes off the bench,'' said Fremd coach Dave Yates. "And we have depth as well. We also have a lot of experience."
That other 6-2 in Yates' starting lineup is junior Grace Tworek. She, too, was a force inside. In addition to her 7 points and 8 rebounds, she also had 4 blocked shots.
Warren had just 1 point in the third quarter when Yates began to reach to his bench.
It didn't seem to matter. Both Melissa Adrian and Lauren Glasser scored buckets, and after three quarters Fremd led 46-12.
Warren needn't dwell long on this loss. After beginning the year 1-6, the Blue Devils at one point reeled off seven straight wins.
"I'm just very proud of how hard we played,'' Stanczykiewicz said. "We finished winning six out last nine."
Hughes and Dickson just completed their sophomore campaigns. Foley will be a senior next year.