Bison benefit from winter break work
Buffalo Grove's girls basketball team broke an 11-game losing with a 46-33 win over visiting Conant in Tuesday's Mid-Suburban League crossover.
Bison coach Steve Kolodziej called it a 'true team win' as sophomore Kendra Lee led the way with 15 points, her fourth double-digit scoring performance of the season.
"We've been close all season, and this was a big win for us," said Kolodziej, whose club is 2-15. "Our girls needed this validation for all the work they put in over the winter break by accepting my challenge to them."
Jackie Bickhaus and Megan Fontanetta both contributed 4 points for BG, while Kolodziej credited senior Alyssa Floro for playing the key motivating role.
"Alyssa's leadership and positive influence throughout the season is making its way through the rest of the team," he said. "I could not be more proud of her."
Ania Baker and Hannah Shulman both scored 9 points to lead Conant (5-12).
Barrington 53, Wheeling 34: Tori Meyer (21 points, two 3-pointers) and Taylor Thompson (20) led the visiting Fillies (6-11), whose coach Babbi Barreiro drew to within 1 win of 400 for her career.
Christina Pierini led Wheeling (10-7) with 13 points and a pair of 3-pointers.
Shanna Turczynski and Tess Conforti also connected for 3-pointers for Barrington while Nansy Velev and Chloe Drozdz each had 1 for the Wildcats.
Hersey 57, Schaumburg 37: Host Hersey (9-9) was led by Claire Rogowski (10 points), Emily Collins (8), Maesyn Benjamin (8) and Janine Boyan (7), who also led the Huskies with 6 rebounds. Rogowski and Benjamin each had a pair of 3-pointers.
Benjamin collected 4 steals and 4 assists.
Kayla Patterson led Schaumburg (2-16) with 7 points, including a 3.
Rolling Meadows 75, Hoffman Estates 45: Senior Night was a winning night for host Meadows (13-5) as the MSL East leader was led by Bridget Rolla (19 points), Melissa Spiwak (13), Lily Griefenstein (11) and Susannah Holifield (10).
"It was nice to honor our six seniors on Senior Night (Natalie Anderson, Caili Hosler, Hannah Joyce, Mallory King, Miyah Ruiz, Melissa Spiwak)," said Rolling Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "Alexa Davis (junior guard) set the tone for us with her defensive effort, and our guards really shared the ball, making their teammates better."
Griefenstein tossed home a pair of 3-pointers for Meadows while Mallory King, Rolla, Caili Hosler, Davis and Spiwak each had one.
Hoffman Estates (5-12) was paced by Tayler Williams (14 points, three 3-pointers) and Samantha Sarullo (6 points).
Nora Thomas, Alysa Dupart, Chiara Hurd and Kate Mongold also had 3-pointers for Hoffman.
Palatine 46, Elk Grove 34: Sydney Rzepka (11 points), Kendra Lindell (10) and Jenny Myslinski (8) were the top scorers for the visiting Pirates, who raised their record to 12-4.
Anja Jacobsen, Sarah Jasonowicz, Myslinski and Lindell each had a pair of 3s for Palatine.
Freshman Isabella Tierney (11 points) and sophomore Megan Murray (8) led Elk Grove (9-10).
Maine West 71, Vernon Hills 17: The host Warriors bounced back with a vengeance from their first loss of the year with a big Central Suburban North win in a matchup of division co-leaders.
Rachel Kent (16 points), Alisa Fallon (12) and Catherine Johnson (10) led the scoring for Maine West (18-1, 5-0), which suffered its first setback of the season on Saturday against defending state champion Geneva.
Vernon Hills (11-6, 4-1) was paced by 5 points from Kayla Caudle. The Cougars gave up 20 points before scoring.
"Unfortunately we did not match their intensity and their physicality," said Vernon Hills coach Paul Brettner. "They killed us in transition and dominated us on the boards. They have a tremendous team and are well-coached. Hopefully we can give them a better game the next time we play them."