No. 1 Hersey dumps Buffalo Grove
It took a little while for it to get rolling, but the Hersey girls basketball team showed why it was tabbed the No. 1 Class 4A girls basketball team in the state Tuesday night against visiting Buffalo Grove.
The Bison (1-3) came out on fire offensively as they built an early 16-10 lead on a rebound basket by freshman Hanna Glanz.
The Huskies (4-0), who earned the No. 1 spot in the first Associated Press poll of the season earlier Tuesday, deadlocked the score at 18-18 after one quarter before they really turned up the heat defensively in the second quarter to take a 38-27 lead into halftime aided by a big 14-2 run in the period.
But the third quarter was what really made a huge difference for Hersey as the Huskies overwhelmed Buffalo Grove 32-4 in the period on their way to a lopsided 76-33 Mid-Suburban East victory.
"I thought that we were not playing as fast as we are, and that is what I told them at halftime," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley, whose team was outstanding with their full-court press defense and fast-break offense.
"Buffalo Grove hit shots like crazy (in first half), and I think we were just a step quicker and that ignited our offense into the biggest quarter I remember having."
A rebound basket by Hersey senior Mary McGrath (game-high 20 points) gave the Huskies their biggest lead at 41-27 early in the second half before a 3-pointer by teammate Katy Eidle (18 points) boosted the lead up to 48-31 later in the third quarter.
And while the Bison were struggling offensively in the third quarter, the Huskies continued to surge as Mary Kate Fahey (17 points) scored off a steal for a commanding 54-31 lead with 4:06 remaining in the third quarter.
"The first half was definitely nowhere near the game we need to play, and the third quarter is how we have to play the full four quarters," said McGrath, whose team scored the final 25 points of the third quarter. "We had a huge spark in the third quarter, and the intensity with our defense was the difference."
Avery Larson scored 8 points for the Huskies in a reserve role while Glanz led Buffalo Grove with 7 points. Junior Alexa Lo Verde chipped in 6 points for the Bison off the bench.
The final quarter of the contest was played with a running clock based on IHSA rules.
"I think our fast break was ignited by playing good defense and they converted so well in the transition game tonight," said Fendley, whose team has four games scheduled in the next week.
"I think we are just appreciating us playing and recognizing what a good team we are, and we're just happy to show that after missing so much of the season."