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Birmingham, Addison Trail take win to the bank

Addison Trail freshman guard Quiana Birmingham hardly had time to react Monday, just somehow shoot the basketball before the final buzzer at IC Catholic Prep.

"It's just a no-think situation, just do it, have confidence. That's what you've got to do," Birmingham said.

From two steps behind the 3-point line, Birmingham banked a 3-pointer to give the Blazers a 43-42 victory in a topsy-turvy nonconference battle in Elmhurst.

Addison Trail (8-11) called a timeout with 12.2 seconds and hoped to run a screen set.

When Birmingham passed to the left side, senior Brenda Berumen was pressured by a double-team yet somehow returned the ball to an open Birmingham.

"It's just another 3 (tonight). It just so happens to help us win the game," Birmingham said.

"(Coach Rob Schader) called out a play and made sure we didn't force anything. I just tried to just attack and kick it out to our players. Brenda did a good job of getting the ball back to me."

Addison Trail senior Serena Gilliam had 14 points, followed by 8 points by Birmingham and 6 from Mia Johnson. Karime Martinez had 7 rebounds.

"Hey, we finally got a bank that we hit in," Schader said. "We're usually having somebody bank in a 3 against us, so we'll take it."

Freshman Claire Wagner led ICCP (8-13) with 16 points and 6 rebounds, and Mia Johnson had 9 points and 7 rebounds.

Wagner's fastbreak basket off a pass from Annie Guinan had just put ICCP ahead 42-40 before the timeout.

"I was really scared (that final shot). I had confidence but at the same timeā€¦ . It was a good shot," Addison Trail senior Demi Koulogeorgas said.

"I think that our defense is really good and we're mentally strong. Even when we're put in bad situations, we can come through and still keep the win."

The Blazers led as much as 31-21 in the third quarter, but the Knights closed to 31-30 by the end of the period, and Gia Gaudio's three-point play that opened the fourth quarter put them ahead 33-31.

Two baskets each from Mia Johnson and Koulogeorgas put Addison Trail back in front 40-37, but the Blazers missed all three of their free throws in the final 1:01. The Knights tied it at 40 on a free throw by Jaida Smith and two from Alia Johnson with 1:14 left.

"A weird game, so many ups and downs. We had a nice little lead at halftime (24-17), extended it and then just fell apart at the end of the third quarter," Schader said.

"We played OK. Not good enough to win, not (bad) enough to lose. We missed those three free throws, a wide-open layup down the stretch. That's five points right there."

ICCP was hoping to win its fourth straight and nearly did with an inspired finish after 7-for-35 shooting in the first half.

"You could see it in their face, their energy was picking up. They were talking on defense. They got that we've got to turn it on now attitude. We just waited too long to turn it on," ICCP coach Kelsey James said.

"We forced a difficult shot (at the end). She banked it in. If we played three earlier quarters, it's a different game. We didn't show up to play until the fourth. That's what makes it tough."

Both teams received great play from non-starters. Addison Trail bench players outscored ICCP 15-11 led by Birmingham, who has started other times this season.

"Obviously, today wasn't one of them but I've just got to have that same energy, that same confidence going into the game as a sixth man (as when starting). We have a great bench," Birmingham said.

Another non-starter, Koulogeorgas passed inside to Mia Johnson for the 40-37 basket after earlier making a key three. Left wide open, Koulogeorgas pondered momentarily and then sank the 3 that put the Blazers back in front 34-33.

"I know I have the ability to take that and I was ready so why not shoot it if they're not going to guard me," Koulogeorgas said. "I think it's very important that I come in strong (off the bench). I think it's my job to play better and help the team out."

  Addison Trail's Karime Martinez goes to the hoop during varsity girls basketball at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst Monday night. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  Addison Trail's Serena Gilliam moves with the ball during varsity girls basketball at IC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst Monday night. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  From left, Addison Trail's Mia Johnson takes a shot as IC Catholic Prep's Claire Wagner and Cate Radoha stay in on the action during varsity girls basketball in Elmhurst Monday night. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  From left, Addison Trail's Mia Johnson and IC Catholic Prep's Cate Radoha and Claire Wagner battle for a rebound during varsity girls basketball in Elmhurst Monday night. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  IC Catholic Prep's Alia Johnson, left, moves past Addison Trail's Angelina Carreras during varsity girls basketball in Elmhurst Monday night. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  IC Catholic Prep's Alia Johnson takes a shot against Addison Trail during varsity girls basketball in Elmhurst Monday night. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
  IC Catholic Prep's Alia Johnson, right, and Addison Trail's Karime Martinez scramble for the ball during varsity girls basketball in Elmhurst Monday night. Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
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