Hersey's up to the task against St. Charles North
It was a late start for Hersey's girls basketball team.
But the Huskies' early work against St. Charles North helped pave the way to a 39-21 victory in Saturday's final game (9:15 p.m. start) of the Chicagoland Invitational Showcase at Fremd High School.
Huskies junior guard Gina Miklasz tossed in three 3-pointers and a 2-point field goal in the first eight minutes en route a team-high 15 points.
The game's MVP also had 8 rebounds and 5 steals in the contest, which ended at 10:37 p.m.
"It was a good start to the game," said Miklasz, whose big first quarter helped Hersey to a commanding 17-1 lead. "We were nervous because we didn't know much about them but I think that helped because we didn't worry about anything and just came out and played our game."
The Huskies' games was once again solid defense which allowed them to give up the fewest points of the season while improving to 8-0.
"The difference was defense and rebounding to start the game," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley. "Kelly Weyhrich and Carly Cooper, our smallest players, were getting rebounds and Gina, too. We were really getting opportunities on every possession because of our rebounding."
Cooper ended up with 5 rebounds while Weyhrich and Claire Gritt each had 3 steals.
Senior Morgan Rosencrants led the North Stars with a game-high 16 points, including 8-of-12 free throws.
"Hersey is a top team," said St. Charles North coach Sean Masoncup. "We can't start out games that slowly, but give Hersey credit. They shot about 70 percent from the field to start the game and it's tough when a team shoots that well.
"We changed our defense and made them work. After the first quarter we were only outscored by 2 points. We have to get better offensively, and we'll get there."
Maine West 37, Lake Zurich 27: Freshman Rachel Kent (14 points, 6 rebounds) and senior Jordan Hart (12 points, 5 rebounds) helped lead the visiting Warriors (6-3) to victory in the nonconference game at Lake Zurich.
Sophomore Catherine Johnson was 6-of-8 at the free throw line while senior Eliza Palarz and sophomore Destiny Onyeise each had bucket for the Warriors, who resume CSL North play on Tuesday at Maine East.
St. Ignatius 46, St. Viator 42: Sophomore Myia Clark had 20 points to lead the Lions (3-4) in the GCAA/ESCC Challenge game at St. Viator.
Palatine 57, Prairie Ridge 43: Palatine posted a nonconference win to even its record at 4-4.
Willowbrook 41, Leyden 27: Visiting Leyden was led by Rebecca Johnson (7 points) and Cherish Sepulveda (5) in the West suburban Gold contest.
Artasia Gusman handed out 4 assists for the Eagles while Sepulveda pulled down 8 rebounds. Teammates Annissa Lemon and Rebecca Miranda each had 4 rebounds.