Murray, Elk Grove strong down the stretch against Hoffman Estates

While it was only the last Tuesday in November, the girls basketball teams from both Hoffman Estates and Elk Grove came into their Mid-Suburban League crossovers at Charles Aldrich Gymnasium looking for a win to catapult their respective squads into divisional play, which commences Friday.

Both teams had experienced rough beginnings to their seasons during season-opening tourney action as the Grenadiers dropped 4 of 5 at Vernon Hills while the Hawks went 0-5 at their own tournament.

Thanks in large part to a 9-0 run in the fourth quarter, the host school prevailed in a 49-39 decision in Elk Grove Village.

"I was pleased on how we were able to handle their energy tonight," Grens coach Jennifer Guth said. "We successfully matched it with both hard work and focus, especially in the second half."

Elk Grove (2-4) built the first of two 9-point leads in the third period on back-to-back hoops from guard Jenny Banak (9 points) and center Holly Olson to give the Grens a 36-27 advantage at the 2:12 mark.

Hoffman Estates (0-6) then went on an 8-0 run, starting with a putback from Monraia Wilson (game-high 13 points) followed by 3s from Tayler Williams (11 points) and Nora Thomas to get the visitors within 36-35 half a minute into the final quarter.

Then Grenadiers point guard Megan Murray took over. The 5-foot-4 freshman hit 2 free throws to make it 38-35 with 4:57 left, then followed that up with assists to sophomore Rachel Kandaher and Banak to open up a 42-35 edge. Murray then had a third assist to Olson after she'd hit her third free throw to seal the deal at 45-35 with 1:56 left.

"It shows us how well things can go for us when we play together," said Murray, who added 3 steals and 3 rebounds to go along with 5 assists and team-high 12 points. "It can be hard at times but you learn to play through it."

"Megan is a true definition of a point guard," Guth said. "She's a very good ball-handler who gets stonger as the game progresses. To have that in her is a blessing."

Hoffman Estates coach Mike Koester left with several positives.

"By hustling like we did tonight (outrebounding Elk Grove 40-31) we were able to get more opportunities on the offensive side," he said. "Second, our young team got some valuable learning experience that we'll need as we start league play versus Barrington. We just need to get those extra shots to fall."

Guth will also take some important things for her young team to focus on. The Grens host Rolling Meadows Friday in their MSL East opener.

"We want to be able have less turnovers while creating some more on the defensive end," she said. "On offense we want to create good opportunities. Most importantly, we want keep learning to play together."