Meadows makes major showing in Turkey Thriller

This may never happen again in program history for the Rolling Meadows girls basketball team.

The Mustangs' next three opponents - Brookfield Central (Wis.), Fremd and Chicago North Lawndale Charter - were all second-place finishers in their respective state tournaments last season.

And where did the Mustangs finish on Wednesay night?

Second, in the Lake Zurich Turkey Thriller.

An impressive second.

Meadows gave undefeated and state power Rock Island its closest call in five tourney games before falling 53-49 in the championship match.

Rock Island (5-0) led 16-15 after one quarter, 25-24 at half and trailed 39-38 after three quarters.

"Credit Rock Island for making plays down the stretch," said Mustangs coach Ryqn Kirkorsky. "I thought our kids competed for four quarters, and Kyra (Spiwak) was great on both ends of the floor."

Spiwak, the Mustangs senior all-area guard, led all scorers with a season-high 24 points, and her third game this season with more than 20 points.

Spiwak and classmate Katherine Nolan (6 points) were selected to the all-tourney first team while senior teammate Morgan Campagna (8 points) was a second-team choice.

Caili Holser chipped in 6 points for the Mustangs, who finished the tourney at 4-1. Junior Melissa Spiwak and sophomore Lily Greifenstein each had 4 while senior Kelsey Nallon connected for a 3-pointer in the second quarter.

All-tourney first-team selection Breanna Beal, who ranks among the top sophomores in the nation, led Rock Island (5-0) with 17 points.

Second team all-tourney pick Justice Edell chipped in 9 points while first team choice Chrislyn Carr added 8.