Buffalo Grove's best shot sinks St. Viator

One of the reasons Buffalo Grove's girls basketball team is off to a sizzling 8-1 start is because it has a handful of players who can shoot well from anywhere on the floor.

"We just want the best shot for our team," said Bison coach Steve Kolodziej. "Whether it's a 3-pointer or a 2-pointer, we'll take either of the above."

The Bison went above and beyond with their long-range artistry on Monday night at the Cahill Gym in Arlington Heights.

With senior Maddy Callahan leading the parade, BG connected for a season-high nine 3-pointers en route to a 49-28 nonconference victory at St. Viator.

"They were open and we were taking them," said Callahan, who was 4-of-5 from 3-point range.

Callahan hit her first one in the second quarter to give BG a 19-8 cushion.

"We are just working as a team and we all have team goals together," said Callahan (team-high 12 points), who hit a career-best seven 3-pointers against Elk Grove last season. "Starting out like this is exciting, actually really exciting."

The way the Bison shot Monday was exciting for their fans, too.

"The bottom line is they shot 75 percent from the 3-point line in the first half, and 64 percent for the game," said St. Viator first-year coach Paul Missavage. "I don't think we'll see that from another team this season. We were hoping to hold them under 50 points, so that was one goal we accomplished."

Two free throws by junior Amanda Kowalski gave BG a 14-4 lead before Maddie McAteeer hit a pair of free throws and Kayne Stanley drove for a left-handed 6-footer that got the Lions to within 14-8 after one quarter.

But two 3-pointers by Callahan and one by junior Maddie Welter helped the visitors extend the lead to 25-11 in the first five minutes of the second quarter.

Welter finished with three 3-pointers and 11 points.

Senior Bri Kolbus and sophomore Megan Gamber each added a 3-pointer for BG, which hosts Cary-Grove today.

"We did a good job picking up our defensive intensity and sharing the basketball offensively," said Kolodziej, who played all 11 of his available girls. "All in all, it was a nice win."

All in all, Missavage was not complaining with his team's effort.

"We outrebounded them, shot better at the free throw line, had more steals and fewer turnovers. We really played well in those areas which is a positive."

Freshman Myia Clark led the Lions (3-5) with 11 points while McAteer, Jessica Hohlweg and Stanley each had 4.

"If the effort wasn't good, I'd be upset," Missavage said. "But I have to be happy with the effort.

"I'm proud of the girls. We took a lot of positives from this game and we got to develop our younger players (including freshmen Clark, Olivia Solimene and Grace McNamara, who all saw quality minutes).

"Now we've got to regroup and go right back at it (today at 7:30 p.m. in Mt. Prospect) because Prospect (7-0) will be tougher than this one."

BG's defense limited the Lions to single digits in each quarter, including a 4-point third quarter"

"This group has some lofty goals," Kolodziej said. "We want to continue the success we had from last postseason and carry it to in-season now. It will be exciting. Our goal is to always to play a one-game season. As long as we continue with that mentality, we'll be fine."

Heavy hearts prevailed in the gym as the Lions were back home for the first time since longtime assistant coach Tom Blenner died on Dec. 3. Announcer Tom Hohenadel called for a moment of silence prior to the start of the game.