Hersey storms back to beat Rolling Meadows

There was a huge upset in the making when Rolling Meadows visited No. 1-ranked Hersey Tuesday night in Mid-Suburban East girls basketball action.

A 3-pointer by Rolling Meadows junior Emily Galvan kept the Mustangs within striking distance at 27-24 early in the third quarter.

But that would be as close as Rolling Meadows (9-4, 6-4) would get the rest of the contest as an 11-point run to end the third quarter helped catapult the Huskies to a 52-32 victory.

With the win, Hersey (15-0, 10-0) captured its fourth MSL East championship in five years as the Huskies prepare to host Fremd in the MSL title game Saturday afternoon.

"We had tired legs a little bit from playing (Monday) night, but this team perseveres through a lot," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley, whose team honored eight graduating seniors before the contest began.

"It took us awhile to get going, and I think Katy (Eidle's) defense initiated our offense with some deflections and a few steals that turned a close game into the final result."

Fendley also credited the outside shooting of senior Natalia Kubsik on Senior Night as another key as Kubsik's basket with 4:08 to play gave the Huskies their biggest lead at 44-26.

The sophomore Eidle had another big game for Hersey with a team-high 17 points while senior teammate Mary McGrath scored 7 of her 13 points in the first half. Senior Megan Morris added 8 points for the Huskies while senior teammate Mary Kate Fahey and Kubsik scored 6 points apiece.

"At the half we were only up by 5 points which is obviously kind of a slow start for us," said McGrath, whose team led 23-18 at the break. "We talked about taking advantage of the gaps in their zone. Our senior class is all so close and I think that plays a huge factor in why we're so successful this year so I think that's a big difference."

Other than a team-high 8 points from Galvan, 6-foot-3 Rolling Meadows freshman Roisin Grandberry was a big factor on the defensive end for the Mustangs with her intimidating presence and rebounding as she scored all 7 of her points in the first half. Juniors Moira Hickey and Madi Niedbala chipped in 5 points each for Rolling Meadows.

"I thought our kids played great for the most part, but if you have physical or mental breakdowns against a team like Hersey they will make you pay," said Rolling Meadows coach Ryan Kirkorsky, whose team closes out the season with games at Conant and Vernon Hills this weekend.

"I thought our kids did well in defensive transition in the first half, but we gave up too many easy baskets in the second half."