Conlin, Rolling Meadows stay perfect
Rolling Meadows girls basketball coach Todd Hatfield called it winning ugly Saturday.
But his Mustangs (9-0) are off to a beautiful start to the season.
Led by senior guard Maddie Conlin’s game-high 18 points (4 3-pointers), Meadows began play in the Mundelein Christmas tournament with 42-37 victory over Vernon Hills.
The Mid-Suburban East co-leaders extended their unbeaten record on the Mundelein floor to 6-0 this season after winning the Mundelein Thanksgiving tourney with a 5-0 record.
Freshman Jackie Kemph added 12 points Saturday while classmate Alexis Glasgow chipped in 7.
Hatfield expected somewhat of a letdown after a big 43-38 win over Buffalo Grove Friday night.
“We re-defined ‘winning ugly,’” said Hatfield, referring to the White Sox slogan of the 1970s. “We had an emotional hangover. No energy. No intensity.”
But the third-year coach found a pair of positives.
“No. 1, we got a win,” he said. “No. 2, we got Maddie (Conlin) going. And Jackie stepped up big in the second half (scoring 10 of her 12 points, including 2 3-pointers).”
Hoffman Estates 50, Grant 19: Grant hit a free throw with one second left to avoid being shut out in the first quarter.
The Hawks scored the game’s first 17 points and never looked back in the Mundelein tourney opener.
Sophomore Destinee Young (8 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists) led the Hawks (9-1) with a game-high 20 points while Precious Ogunleye added 10 points, 3 steals and 2 rebounds.
Teammate Jada Stotts chipped in 6 points, 5 assists, 2 steals and 5 rebounds while Sara Burns collected 6 rebounds.
Streamwood 56, Conant 44: Michelle Tomczak paced the Sabres (10-0) with a monster game at the Mundelein tournament as she recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds to go along with 7 blocks.
The Sabres hit 9-12 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
“We played a tough game,” said Streamwood coach George Rosner. “Both teams had to come back this morning after playing last night and I thought we played well.”
Seniors Kelly Lomas (15 points, 4 3-pointers) and Alyssa Rawleigh (12 points, 1 3-pointer) led the Cougars (7-3).
Elk Grove 47, Addison Trail 32: Michelle Calmeyn scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for the host Grenadiers (7-4) in the nonconference game.
“Michelle’s energy really took over the game in the second quarter,” said Elk Grove coach Ryan Kirkorsky. “We really needed that.”
Freshman forward Melissa Solorio added 7 points for the Grens while sophomore Kelly Naughton had 6.
Sophomore Diamond Boyd contributed 6 rebounds and 5 steals.
Naughton and teammate Leah Miller each hit a 3-pointer.
Wheaton Warrenville South 58, Maine West 42: Freshman Brittany Collins (13 points) and junior Amanda Hoye (12 points) led the visiting Warriors (2-9) in the nonconference game.
New Trier 56, Barrington 48: The visiting Fillies stand at 5-4 after the Sweet Sixteen tourney loss in Winnetka.
Fillies senior Abby Kirchoff scored a team-high 19 points with a 3-pointer and classmate Shelby Whigham added 13.
Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro praised the defensive effort of senior Brooke Chandor (5 points, 4 steals, 2 assist) on New Trier standout junior guard Maggie Lyon (game-high 23 points).
“Brooke did a nice job sticking to her start to finish,” Barreiro said. “Lyon is one of the most consistent shooters I have seen.”
Kirchoff also had 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Classmate Sarah Mass chipped in 6 points.
“Abby played a strong game,” Barreiro added. “And Whigham had a nice offensive game. We played hard and intense for four quarters. We just didn’t do some pivotal things at the right time.
“But it was a good competitive game. It’ still early in the season and we are still making mistakes. We are trying to improve.”