Prospect able to repeat 20-victory feat
Not since coach Jean Walker's 21-8 and 20-7 seasons in 1989 and 1990 had Prospect's girls basketball team put together back-to-back 20-win seasons.
But that changed on Tuesday night at Buffalo Grove, where the Knights posted a 66-44 triumph that improved their record to 20-1 overall and 7-0 in the Mid-Suburban East.
They were 23-6 last season, the second under coach Ashley Graham.
Prospect, ranked No. 8 in the Class 4A state poll, was led by senior Catherine Sherwood, whose game-high 22 points gave her 936 for her career.
Classmate Taylor Will, the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,730 points, added 19 points as Prospect remained one game ahead of Hersey with three to play in the MSL East.
"What a wonderful accomplishment for this team and our program," Graham said of the back-to-back 20-win campaigns. It just speaks volumes about the type of players and team we have.
"Every day these girls come into practice it's like it's a new day. It's so refreshing to walk into the gym and that's a tribute to these kids. They just love the game.
"They give it their whole heart, best effort and follow the game plan every time. I get emotional just talking about this group collectively. I'm just fortunate to be along for the ride."
Sophomore Haley Will was riding high in the first half when she scored all 12 of her points, including three 3-pointers. Brenda Kendziera chipped in 5 for Prospect.
Julie Jambrone (15 points) and Natali Dimitrova (10) led Buffalo Grove (17-8, 3-4).
Wheeling 39, Rolling Meadows 37: Wheeling won this one in regulation. After an OT win earlier this season, the Wildcats (17-6, 3-4) won for the second time over the visiting Mustangs behind scoring leaders Deanna Kuzmanic (14 points), Lani Greenberg (10) and Hannah Drobowski (8).
Rolling Meadows (15-8, 2-5) was led by Kyra Spiwak's 19 points.
Hersey 59, Elk Grove 36: Sophomore Claire Gritt scored a game-high 21 points as visiting Hersey (17-5, 6-1) remained one game behind Prospect in the MSL East race.
Annie Korff and Juliette Vainsi each chipped in 7 while Kelly Weyhrich had 6.
EG (6-15, 0-7) was paced by O'Rayn Macavoy (9 points), Taylor Matos (8) and Amber Lindfors (7).
Palatine 39, Barrington 34: The host Pirates didn't let a third-quarter scoring drought spoil their night.
Barrington shut out Palatine in the third. But thanks to solid first and second quarters, and then a solid fourth, the Pirates held on in MSL West play.
Palatine led 29-13 before the Fillies enjoyed an 11-0 advantage in the third quarter.
"Barrington came right at us defensively in the second half - they hit some shots and play really aggressively," said Palatine coach Mark Johnson.
Barrington closed to within 5 heading into the fourth quarter.
"I think the most important thing was, we were still winning," Johnson said. "It's not like we needed to start jacking up 3s to get back in the game.
"I told the girls we needed to take care of the ball and take good shots, and I thought we really did that in the fourth quarter."
Monica Masini led Palatine (11-12, 3-4) with 13 points, Ashley Shapiro had 11 (including a 5-for-5 effort at the foul line) and Katie Conklin had 9, all on 3-pointers.
Megan Talbot paced Barrington with 11 points, which included three 3s, and Abigail Elo contributed 8 points.
The Fillies, who were without starting point guard Kelly Katis due to injury, closed to within 3 points in the fourth quarter.
"I thought we played a fantastic third quarter," said Barrington coach Babbi said. "We played a good second half. But you have to play four quarters of basketball to be successful."
"We didn't play a good first half and I thought Palatine was clicking on all four cylinders in the first half. We missed at least seven layups in the first quarter.
"I credit the kids. They came out hustling in the second half and it was a very different ballgame."
Schaumburg 52, Hoffman Estates 43: Senior Jada Blackwell continued her hot hand for the host Saxons (13-9, 4-3), scoring a game-high 19 points.
Tatiana Doroskin added 10 for the hosts, who won their sixth straight game and ninth out of 11.
Hoffman Estates (4-16, 0-7) was led by Jennifer Nailor's 15 points and 8 from Erin Hanson.