Article updated: 2/14/2013 11:27 PM

Stevenson pulls together against Palatine

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Stevenson's Kari Moffat holds up the regional championship plaque while the rest of her teammates celebrate after the Patriots beat Palatine in the Class 4A regional final at Wheeling on Thursday.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Palatine's McKenzie Wiedemann wipes away tears after the Pirates' loss to Stevenson in the Class 4A Wheeling regional championship game Thursday.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com Stevenson's Alex Elzinga is blocked by Palatine's Monica Masini while shooting at Wheeling on Thursday.

Stevenson's Alex Elzinga holds on tight to the ball as the final seconds tick away in the regional championship play Thursday at Wheeling.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

Stevenson's Taylor Buford shoots a half-court shot as Palatine's Morgan Radtke tries for a block regional championship play Thursday at Wheeling.

Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer

About this Article

A total team effort from Stevenson's girls basketball team added up to another 20-win season and a second straight regional championship. Sophomore Taylor Buford led the Patriots with a career-best 22 points and 11 rebounds as No. 5 seed Stevenson upended No. 4 Palatine 47-35 in a Class 4A regional final Thursday at Wheeling. And Stevenson got the job done without a key player. “We were missing our all-area guard (Sophia Way),” said Stevenson coach Tom Dineen, who's produced four straight 20-win seasons with the Patriots. “Other kids stepped up big-time, in a big way. Dineen said Way has, “some lingering concussion issues. It's been an ongoing process.” Stevenson (20-8) next plays No. 1 seed Rolling Meadows (26-3) at 6 p.m. Monday in a Libertyville sectional semifinal.