Stejskal's 31-point effort lifts Buffalo Grove
Somehow Sammy Stejskal had the energy to pull off one of the greatest halves in Buffalo Grove girls basketball history.
Despite playing in her third game in less than 19 hours, Stejskal helped the Bison rally from a 22-10 halftime deficit to defeat Lake Forest 52-47 on Saturday afternoon.
The 5-foot-10 senior guard scored 25 of her career-high 31 points in the second half.
The 25 points tied Michele Ratay's school record for most points in a half. Ratay did it against Schaumburg in the 1989-90 season.
"Sammy was on fire," said Bison coach Steve Kolodziej, whose team improved to 15-4 with two wins on Saturday at the Lake Forest tournament.
The first win came over Antioch, the No. 10 ranked team in Class 3A which came into the game with only one loss.
The Bison won 62-39 behind Maddie Welter (23 points) and Stejskal (21).
"The biggest thing is the quick turnaround (from Friday's 71-47 win over Prospect)," Kolodziej said. "I was most impressed with how exhausted the kids were in that second game (vs. Lake Forest) but there was no quit."
The Bison shot 4-of-26 in the first half against Lake Forest.
"We were getting good shots, but our legs were dead," Kolodziej said. "But we made some adjustments defensively and we were able to presevere in the second half.
"Sammy really put us on her back, defensively too. We put her on their best player."
Stejskal made 8-of-8 free throws in the second half along with 8 of her 11 field goals, including a 3-pointer.
Alyssa Floro also had a 3-pointer in the final quarter for BG while teammates Georgette Topalis and Welter (9 points) each made free throws.
"We had to play everyone and the kids all stepped up with a few valuable minutes here and there," Kolodziej said.
The Bison were without starter Amanda Kowalski, who was on an official college visit for soccer.
The tourney resumes Monday. BG plays Lakes at 10:30 a.m. and Deerfield at 1 p.m.
Palatine 55, Highland Park 36: The host Pirates (8-12) were led by
Reggie Much (13 points, three 3-pointers), Ashley Shapiro (8 points), Britanny Shaprio (7 points), Carrissa Multon (6) and Michala Leber (6).
Leber added two 3-pointers and Geena Eliades had one for Palatine.
Bartlett 68, Elk Grove 32: Junior guard Jenny Banak scored all of her team-high 8 points in the fourth quarter for visiting Elk Grove (2-16) which also received 7 points from senior forward Carly Crothers (all in the first half).
York 60, St. Viator 38: Sophomore Myia Clark (12 points) and senior Maggie Leazer (9) led the visiting Lions (9-10) in the nonconference game in Elmhurst.