Fremd repeats downstate feat
It certainly isn't normal but the Fremd girls basketball team is headed to Normal for a second consecutive year.
For the first time in school history, the Vikings have won back-to-back supersectionals and will face Whitney Young in Friday's 6:30 p.m. state semifinal at Illinois State.
The state's No. 1-ranked Class 4A team (29-2) was truly a team on Monday night in its own supersectional as two players came off the bench and thrived in key roles during a 48-36 triumph over No. 8 Huntley (30-4), which threw a first-half scare into the Vikes.
"I love the way it ended here for us seniors playing on our home court for the last time," said Fremd senior guard Brianna Lewis, who scored 11 of her 13 points in the second half when Fremd was able to pull away. I'm so happy to win our last game and go down state again. It's a great feeling to do it with these girls."
Fremd junior Grace Tworek matched Lewis' 13 points while also tying for team rebounding honors with senior Bryana Hopkins (5 apiece) who also scored 6 points.
"Oh my gosh, we are all so excited," Tworek said. "Getting to go down state the first time was a blessing. But now twice? We put so much work into this one and we could not be more excited."
The Red Raiders had their fans excited in the first quarter, pulling away to a 12-5 led when Ali Andrews (game-high 20 points) hit an off-balance 17-footer with 1:32 left.
With two starters in foul trouble, Fremd got help from the bench and was able to surge ahead 19-18 lead by intermission.
Senior Julia Wacker checked in midway though the first quarter and scored all seven of her points in the first half, including a 3-point played which rallied the Vikes into a 19-18 lead at half.
"I just tried to stay calm and relaxed," Wacker said of her big baskets and 4 rebounds. "Winning this on our home floor is just a surreal feeling. It's just fantastic. It's just been a great run with a team I couldn't be more proud to be part of."
Junior reserve guard Hayley Williams (6 points, 2 rebounds) also came off the bench, contributing a key 3-point play as the Vikes were making up a 17-11 deficit.
"Julia did some big things and Haley had that big 3-point play," said Lewis, who also had 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. "Everyone's mentality was about winning this game. It's pretty amazing how we came back on them as a team."
"With two of our better players out, those two kids (Wacker and Williams) came in and gave us a huge lift because a lot of things weren't going right at the start," said Fremd coach Dave Yates. "I think it was a combination of nerves and they sagged off us and kind of dared us. We were a little impatient on offense
"In the first quarter they pounded us on the offensive boards. In the second quarter, we pounded them. So it was kind of a trade-off."
The Vikes took control in the third quarter, outscoring Huntley 22-12 when Lewis and Tworek both returned to the floor from foul trouble.
"That third quarter really hurt us," said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. "They scored 22. You can't give up that many to the No. 1 team in the state on their floor.
"Credit Fremd. They did a good job imposing their will in the second half."
Andrews was basically trading baskets with the Vikes in the first quarter when she scored 10 of her team's 12 points.
The Illinois recruit was 8-of-9 at the free throw line with 6 baskets for the game.
"Ali was unbelievable tonight," Raethz said. "She really carried the load for us. She knocked down tough shots. She had great inside moves. This really epitomized how she plays in big games. It's been a privilege to have been her coach."
Andrews, who fouled out with 2:42 left and the Red Raiders trailing 44-35, credited the Vikings.
"We've played other teams with length like theirs," she said. "But they are more skilled."
Fremd senior Erin Lenahan contributed 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots while junior teammate Missy Adrian had 2 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
"It's not the way you want your high school career to end (fouling out) but it happened," Andrews added. "But I was really proud of how everyone played the final minutes.
"I'm so proud of everyone in the program. Coach Raethz really did a great job with everyone at all levels of the program."
Red Raiders junior forward Morgan Clausen finished with 10 points while senior teammate Paige Renkosik chipped in 5.
"I loved how our kids came out to start this game," Raethz said. "It's been an unbelievable journey and they've fought so hard. This loss does not define how terrific our seniors have been.
"It starts with the six of them (Andrews, Renkosik, Alexis Lowitzki, Kayla Barreto, Danielle Nicols and Teagan Papka). What a run they've had. They've elevated the program. They've raised the bar and will be sorely missed. The most important thing is that they are also great kids off the court."
Fremd's players are looking forward to getting back on the Doug Collins court (Illinois State) for the first time since last year's Class 4A state title match against Benet.
The Vikings would love to pick up right they left off in Monday's second half.
"We put some pressure on the ball in the second half and got some turnovers," Yates said. "We needed a couple of easy baskets to get us going, and I thought that's what happened.
"I'm really proud of our kids for weathering their run. They (Huntley) started out taking it to us. I think we just calmed down in the second half and started playing."
A 3-pointer by Williams followed by a steal and layup by Lewis gave the Vikes a 35-28 cushion and ignited a 11-2 run to close out the third period with a 41-30 lead.
"We just went into the locker room at half and said if we want to win this game we had to come back out on the floor and completely turn our play around," Tworek said. "To fulfill our accomplishment of getting down state for a second time feels insanely awesome."
It's a normal feeling now for these Vikes.