Emotional win for Streamwood
Senior Night is always special and emotional.
Thursday night was a little more of both for Streamwood's Hannah McGlone.
McGlone's father, Greg, was in the stands for the first time since the last week of January following a recent stay in a hospital. He got to see McGlone play her final game at Streamwood, a 55-46 victory over Metea Valley in an Upstate Eight Conference girls basketball crossover game.
"Having my family here, especially my father, was a big deal to me," said McGlone, a four-year varsity player and three-year starter. "It's bittersweet playing your final game on your home court."
Sabres coach George Rosner, who earned his 399th victory, said Greg McGlone's return was meaningful for the entire team. That showed in the first quarter as Streamwood (12-12) turned the ball over six times and trailed 12-11 after the opening quarter.
"(Greg) is one of our biggest fans. He never misses a game," Rosner said. "It was very emotional for everyone out there."
McGlone finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. She has scored more than 1,000 points in her career and is closing in on 1,000 rebounds as well.
The game was tied at 15-15 a minute into the second quarter before the Sabres went on a 10-3 run, started by and ending with a Holly Foret 3-pointer. Streamwood never trailed again.
Streamwood's lead was 29-24 at halftime and 36-30 after the third quarter.
The Mustangs (14-15) got within 3 on three occasions in the fourth quarter. The last time was after a steal and layup from Jenny Voytell made it 42-39 with 4:30 remaining. Costly turnovers ended up hurting Metea Valley down the stretch. The Mustangs turned the ball over seven times in the fourth quarter as the Sabres pulled away with a 12-4 run in a 3-minute span.
"It's the matter of doing the little things," Metea Valley coach Kris Kalivas said. "Defensively we never want to give up 55 points in a game. I don't think we boxed out very well. We threw the ball away in key situations."
Voytell led the Mustangs with 15 points. Taseandra Parker finished with 11 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Lisa Logan added 10 points.
Foret, also a senior, led the Sabres with 21 points. Kiana Jeremiah added 12 points. Freshman Jenejha Williams had 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Rosner's first chance at victory No. 400 will be Tuesday when the Sabres open the postseason at the Class 4A Jacobs regional. Streamwood will play either Dundee-Crown or Elgin.
"If I'm going to get to 400, I would like to do it with this team," Rosner said. "They are great girls. It's been a great joy to coach them. If it happens, it happens."