Feel-good start for Lake Zurich, big finish for Maine West

What a delightful thing for Lake Zurich girls basketball coach Chris Bennett to do.

He has this book, you see, and keeps it handy. It includes every player who has scored a basket for the Bears program, dating back to 1985.

So in preparation for senior night on Monday night, he had sent a note to Maine West coach Kim de Marigny. And on Lake Zurich's senior night, Maine West agreed to allow senior Eleni Papastratakos to score the first basket of this nonconference game.

"Elena has not played much," Bennett said. "She had a number of knee injuries. I wanted to get her in the book."

Papastratakos scored the only Lake Zurich basket of the first quarter. By that time, it was 21-2 Maine West. This state power (25-1) breezed to a 53-21 win, breaking the Bears' five-game winning streak.

"They are a potential state title team," Bennett said. "They have a terrific matchup zone."

The Warriors have a few players headed to the next level. However, another player to watch is 6-2 sophomore, Angela Dugalic, who finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.

"This is a family," Dugalic noted. "These are the best sisters you can have. I believe we can go far this year."

Half of Dugalic's points came from the free throw line.

De Marigny feels good about her club this season.

"Our team loves to play basketball," she said. "This group is very unselfish."

The game was virtually over at halftime as Maine West led 31-7.

Both teams were able to play most of roster in the second half. Margueret Spear had back-to-back scores late in the third quarter for Lake Zurich. She ended up in second place in her team's scoring with those 4 points.

Ella Gilbertson led Lake Zurich with 5 points.

Maine West's Alisa Fallon had all of her 9 points in the opening half, and senior Allison Pearson added 11 points for Maine West.

Vernon Hills 42, Grayslake North 35: Vernon Hills' girls basketball team braved the elements and was rewarded with a 42-35 victory against host Grayslake North on Monday in a nonconference matchup.

Piper Bedell scored 11 points and Kayla Caudle supplied 8 points and 12 rebounds for the Cougars (17-9).

Grayslake North had a quick start as Jordyn Gerdes hit a pair of 3s to help the Knights to a 12-8 lead after the first quarter.

Vernon Hills limited Grayslake North to 5 second-quarter points and grabbed an 18-17 lead at the half.

Cougars coach Paul Brettner said one key to the outcome was his team's ability to generate a lead in the second half with both Caudle and guard Daniella Jarrell on the bench.

"The drive there was not great, but we were happy to get this game in," Brettner said. "It was a good team victory."

Savannah Guenter paced Grayslake North with 13 points.

Warren 58, Niles West 41: Jordyn Hughes scored 19 points, Kaylen Dickson added 18, and the host Blue Devils won in nonconference action.

Hughes sank three 3-pointers, while Dickson made a pair of 3s and went 6 of 6 from the foul line. Dana Lundtveit had 7 points for Warren (21-6).

Niles West was led by Lidia Fakhoury with 17 points, including five 3-pointers, and Sam Galanopoulos with 14.

Mundelein 57, Deerfield 23: The Mustangs outscored the Warriors 13-3 in the first quarter in rolling to a nonconference victory.

Morgan Frank made a pair of 3s and finished with a game-high 20 points to lead the way for Mundelein (10-18). Hannah Buscher had 12 points (on four 3s) and Ellie Maldonado came away with a team-best 7 rebounds.