Fremd downs Marian Catholic to make it 16-0
After seeing its run of eight straight Mid-Suburban League West Division crowns come to an end last year in addition to experiencing its earliest postseason exit since 2012, Fremd's girls basketball team has sought a return to both area and state prominence this season.
The Vikings entered their Montini Christmas Tournament opener versus Marian Catholic Wednesday afternoon in first place in the MSL West with a 4-0 mark and an unblemished 15-0 record.
They left Lombard with a 16-0 mark as they bested the Spartans 56-24 to move into a Thursday quarterfinal at 8:15 p.m. versus Benet Academy (16-2), a 75-53 winner over Oak Park-River Forest.
"We haven't played since the Monday before finals (December 17), but we practiced during that time," Fremd coach Dave Yates said. "It took us a little bit to get going as we kicking off some of the rust."
The Vikings restored that shine with an 11-0 run over the final 6:13 of the first half that featured 5 of Emily Klaczek's game-high 18 points that allowed Fremd to take a 25-12 lead into the break. Marian Catholic (7-6) would get no closer 12 the rest of the way.
Klaczek, a 5-foot-10 third-year varsity player, went 6 of 9 from the floor including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
"She's played well for us. She's a veteran - a calming influence on the court," Yates said.
Klaczek, a junior, lavished plaudits on her teammates as opposed to her own performance.
"I love playing with them," Klaczek said. "We had a great summer. We just want people to know who we are. We have one goal and that's to keep competing and playing hard."