Hersey stuns Mother McAuley
Junior Mary McGrath's putback proved to be the decisive points in Hersey's 43-41 stunner over previously unbeaten Mother McAuley, which finished second to Maine West in the Class 4A girls basketball state championship game nine months ago at Illinois State's Redbird Arena.
The Mighty Macs (34-4 last year) came into Saturday's semifinal of the Bison Classic with a 4-0 overall record and a 3-0 mark in the Buffalo Grove event.
Hersey improved to 3-2 and 3-1 in the tourney as 5-foot-11 freshman Katy Eidle hit for a career-high 17 points.
"Katy was a force offensively," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley. "Every time they closed the gap it seemed that Katy was able to hit a big shot. Her toughness in getting to the basket set up Mary's game-winner on our final possession."
Jenna Badali, who led the Mighty Macs with 13 points in the state title game, scored a game-high 20 Friday.
"I think Badali is a terrific player," Fendley said. "But I thought the kids who guarded her (McGrath and Jordan Carlquist) contained her the best as possible."
In addition to scoring 7 points, the 6-1 McGrath led Hersey with 9 rebounds and also had 4 assists. Meghan Mrowicki pulled down 5 rebounds while Natalia Kubsik blocked 6 shots and grabbed 3 rebounds.
"Mary McGrath and Meghan Mrowicki rebounded really well," Fendley added. "I'm really proud of how our girls have beaten two unbeaten teams (Maine South on Tuesday) to put themselves in a position to try to win this tournament after a disappointing loss last week in pool play."
Hersey takes on Libertyville (3-1) at 1 p.m. in Saturday's final day of the tourney.
Maine West 62, Wheaton Warrenville South 21: On the day she was named tourney MVP of the Schaumburg Thanksgiving tournament, Maine West senior Angela Dugalic collected 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists.
The Warriors finished the tourney at 5-0 and stand at 6-0 overall, giving them 42 straight wins since a loss to Geneva in the 2018 Class 4A semifinal.
Dylan VanFleet (14 points, 8 steals, 5 assists) and Lena Albo were also named to the all-tourney team.
Schaumburg d. Deerfield: The Saxons closed out play in their own Thanksgiving tournament with a 2-3 record as Alyssa Orozco and Talia Torosian earned all-tournament honors.
Lake Park 68, Wheeling 36: Wheeling's Sophia Stanke scored 14 points and teammate Naomi Metellus added 8 in the Wildcats' penultimate game of the Tom Kendall Pilgrim Classic at Hoffman Estates.
St. Charles North 51, Hoffman Estates 19: Sophomore Ashley Oliver had 6 points and freshman Jenna Coalson 5 for the Hawks (1-4, 1-3), who finish play in their own Tom Kendall Pilgrim Classic against Hampshire on Saturday at 2 p.m.