Linbo's 30 points lead Grant in tourney opener
Jazzlyn Linbo scored 30 points, sinking 6-of-8 shots from three-point range, and Grant's girls basketball team opened its own holiday tournament with a 70-43 win over North Chicago on Saturday.
It was the second 30-point effort in a row for the 6-foot-2 Linbo, who was coming off a career-high 35 points against Wheeling earlier in the week. She shot 11 of 18 from the floor (2 of 4 from the foul line), while also grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking 3 shots.
Kylie Whyte added 13 points and 6 rebounds for Grant (8-4), which led 24-11 after one quarter en route to its sixth win in its last seven games. Katelyn Dupree had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals for the Bulldogs, who resume the tournament on Monday with a 1 p.m. start against Waukegan.
Heaven Knox scored 20 points for North Chicago, which plays Deerfield at 11:30 a.m. Monday. Katana McDuffy added 13 points for the Warhawks.
Deerfield 54, Warren 47 (OT): At Grant, the opening game of the tournament went to overtime.
Gracie Lynch scored 16 points to lead Warren (3-9), which played without three-year varsity starter Macy Kocen (illness). The Blue Devils resume the tourney Monday with a 10 a.m. tipoff against De La Salle.
Libertyville 70, Vernon Hills 24: At Libertyville, freshman Emily Fisher scored a game-high 14 points, including a 3-pointer, as the Wildcats improved to 2-0 in their own winter tournament.
It was just the second game of the season for Fisher, who missed the first 10 with an injury. Lydia Crow added 12 points on four 3-pointers. Lauren Huber had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for Libertyville (8-4), which won its fourth game in a row.
"This was a good team win for us," said coach Greg Pedersen, whose Wildcats host Rolling Meadows at 12:3 p.m. Monday.
Vernon Hills (6-7, 0-2 tournament) received 7 points from Alexa Cieslinski and 6 from Daniella Jarrell.
Wauconda 52, Marian Central 48: At McHenry, junior point guard Ella Karg scored a career-high 24 points, including four 3-pointers, and the Bulldogs wrapped up the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic by winning the third-place-bracket game.
Kiley Szmajda added 9 points for Wauconda (9-4, 4-1 tournament). The Bulldogs led 6-4 after one quarter and still held a 2-point advantage at halftime (16-14) and after three (30-28).
"We had a much better showing today after the loss last night (to McHenry)," Wauconda coach Jaime Dennis said. "It was a defensive battle in the first (half). We were getting shots, they just weren't falling. We started being more aggressive in the second half and getting to the basket. Ella provided a spark offensively and got us going. Maddie Sinnott came off the bench and had in impact on the game. Her 5 points were huge, and she got some important rebounds. I really like the way she is playing lately."
Wauconda led most of the game but fell behind late in the fourth.
"The girls could have gotten down on themselves," Dennis said. "It was a nailbiter and the girls executed down the stretch. It was a fun game and a nice way to go into the holiday break."
Round Lake 46, Hoffman Estates 43: At Richmond-Burton, Ariea Williams and Lilli Burton each scored 14 points for the Panthers, who won their finale in the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic.
Amari Cole added 10 points for Round Lake (3-12, 2-3 tournament), which finished the 2019 portion of its schedule with its first two-game winning streak.
Grayslake North 43, Marengo 42: At Richmond-Burton, the Knights held Marengo without a shot in the final 15 seconds to secure the win in their finale of the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic.
Peyton Gerdes had 10 points for Grayslake North (7-8, 3-2 tournament). Faith Standerski had 9 points, and Grace Wamser and Eden Hartigan each had 8.
"That was a great team win," Knights coach Roger Lass said. "The defensive stop in the final 15 seconds was one of the best I've seen. This is how we wanted to start our break and build momentum for the second half of the season."
Crystal Lake Central 46, Lakes 31: At McHenry, Sydney Zellmann scored 15 points for the Eagles in their final game of the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic.
Rosie Tekampe and Chloe Kilroy had 6 points each for Lakes (2-11, 1-4 tournament).
"Give CLC credit," Eagles coach Brian Phelan said. "They played well."
Conant 46, Mundelein 29: At Libertyville, the Mustangs fell to 0-2 in the winter tournament.
Morgan Frank had 14 points and 4 rebounds for Mundelein (1-11, 0-2 tournament), which plays Streamwood at 11 a.m. Monday.