Hersey earns return to MSL title game
Hersey's girls basketball team graduated three all-area players and four starters last season.
But the defending Mid-Suburban League champs didn't flinch.
They are back to defend their title in Wednesday's title game.
Led by Emily Collins (18 points), Katie McGrath (13 points, 7 rebounds) and Maesyn Benjamin (11 points, 7 rebounds), the Huskies got past host Buffalo Grove 58-50 to finish at 8-2, tied for first with Rolling Meadows in the MSL East.
Because the Huskies defeated Meadows twice during conference play, they will represent the East against West champ Palatine.
Erin McGrath added 5 points and 5 assists for Hersey.
Jackie Bickhaus (14 points) and Macy Floro (13 points, three 3-pointers) led BG (5-23, 1-9).
"Buffalo Grove played impressive defense," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley. "They made us work for every basket."
The Huskies (15-12) will be playing in their fourth MSL championship game under Fendley.
"We are thrilled to get back to the championship," Fendley said. "I think it might have surprised a few people, which makes it even more special."
Collins' 18 points were a career high.
"Emily's aggressiveness offensively was a difference maker," Fendley said. "Everyone contributed key rebounds at pivotal times."
Fremd 48, Schaumburg 32: Fremd (17-11, 7-3) took second place in the MSL West as Emily Klaczek (15 points) and Ruthie Montella (8 points) led the offense.
Meghan Luecht (8 points) and Kayla Patterson (7) led Schaumburg (4-21, 3-7).
Maine West 80, Maine East 24: The host Warriors rolled through another Central Suburban North foe as Gaby Alvarado scored a game-high 14 points to go with 8 rebounds.
Other leading contributors for Maine East included Allison Pearson (13 points) and Jessica Riedl (12 points, 10 rebounds).
At the half, Maine West led 53-10.
Wheeling 44, Elk Grove 33: Nansy Velev (14 points), Chloe Drozdz (10) and Nosa Igiehon (10) accounted for most of the scoring for the host Wildcats (13-13, 3-7) in an MSL East finale.
Elk Grove (12-14, 3-7), which led 10-8 after the first quarter, was paced by Megan Murray with 12 points. All her scoring came on 3-pointers.
Wheeling grabbed control by outscoring the Grens 13-7 in the second quarter.
Velev helped the Wildcats maintain their lead by hitting on 6 of 9 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Barrington 59, Conant 58: The visiting Fillies wrapped up MSL West play with a victory on the road which featured both teams scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Anna Mae King's putback at the buzzer gave the Fillies (9-15, 5-5) the win.
"On that last play, Tori (Meyer, who dribbled almost the length of the court) tried to make something happen," said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro. "And Anna Mae was definitely in a good position to get the put back and I was happy for her to make it count."
Sophomore forward Taylor Thompson scored a game-high 17 points to lead the way for Barrington, which also got 15 points from both junior guard Tori Meyer and senior guard Rachel Mori, who had two key buckets in the last minute of the game.
"Rachel Mori had a very nice game," Barreiro said. "She hit some really big baskets when we needed it. I thought she was gutsy tonight.
"I was happy for the kids to be able to get the win tonight. I felt like we had a lot of kids contribute and that will be important going into playoffs. The last two minutes were pretty exciting and I was proud of the kids were able to force some turnovers."
Hannah Shulman led the way for Conant (9-16, 6-4) with 16 points, and Cate Fitzgerald finished with 12 points, including three 3s. Other leading contributors were Abbey DiSalvo (10 points), Ania Baker (9) and Taylor Cyr (two 3s).