Barrington sparkles against Hoffman Estates
With it being Teacher Appreciation and Pack the Gym night, the Barrington girls basketball players knew plenty of people in the stands.
“A lot them had never seen us play,” said Barrington junior guard Nicole Collins. “We had to show them what we've got.”
And the Fillies had a lot to show in their big game against visiting Hoffman Estates, tossing home seven 3-pointers in one of their finest efforts of the season.
With senior guard Abby Kirchoff's points equaling the number on her jersey (20), and Collins striking for 15 points, the Fillies (14-6, 4-1) were able to post a convincing 56-41 triumph over the Hawks (12-6, 2-3) to remain 1 game behind Fremd (17-4, 5-0) in the Mid-Suburban West standings.
Collins, recovering from a virus earlier in the week, hit a 3-pointer, a 17-footer and 2 free throws in the first four minutes to help stake the Fillies to a 10-5 lead they would never relinquish.
“I thought Nicole really set the tone for us,” said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro. “And Abby (Kirchoff) played an excellent game.”
“I feel a little better now,” Collins said with a smile. “This was good team win. Everyone contributed. It's nice playing in front of all the people you know.
“(Teammate) Sarah Mass's mother (Linda) coaches a youth team in town (the Bombers), and all those girls were here watching.”
The Fillies faithful watched Kirchoff's first of four 3-pointers give the host a 13-6 lead, and moments later Sam Maasarani hit a long one from near the side for a 16-8 cushion.
Barrington closed the quarter win a 7-0 run as Kirchoff rebounded her own missed 17-footer for a layup and hit another 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 21-8 lead.
“It was awesome,” Kirchoff said. “We knew we had to win to stay in the race for the conference title. And with all the teachers and young school kids here, we were really pumped up.”
A 15-footer for the baseline by Precious Ogunleye and 2 free throws by Tanya Skworch got Hoffman to within 26-22 at half, but that's as close as the Hawks would get.
The Fillies opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run, sparked by 3-pointers from Brooke Chandor (12 points) and Kirchoff.
“Brooke really took advantage of their foul trouble in the second half,” Barreiro said.
The Fillies hit 9-of-11 shots in the third quarter.
“I'd hate to see what their shooting percentage was (19-of-40 for 47 percent),” said Hoffman coach Mike Nocella. “What can you do when a team is hot like that? They scored 21 points in two quarters.
“We won the other two quarters but not by as many points.”
Sophomore Destinee Young led Hoffman with 18 points and 9 rebounds while classmate Becca Stoczynski added 9 with 8 rebounds.
“That Destinee Young is sure something,” said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro. “She's a nice player and what a bright future.”
With future Fillies in the crowd, the current Fillies sure gave them a show.
“I'm glad we were able to show our teachers and all the future players how we can play,” said Fillies senior Sarah Mass, who had two big buckets in the third quarter.
“I felt everyone contributed,” Barreiro said. “I thought Shelby Whigham (team-high 5 rebounds) did a nice job distributing the ball. Sam Maasarani had the big 3. Kiersten Tinkoff played some solid interior defense. And Lizzie Deuel handled the ball well and guarded Jada Stotts (6 points) for a little run in the second half.”