New-look Wauconda group hangs on against Round Lake

As Wauconda's sophomore boys basketball coach last winter, Greg Dorgan saw one varsity girls game.

He watched Wauconda play visiting Round Lake, which was in the midst of a five-win season.

Friday night, he saw a different Round Lake team. A vastly improved one. He had seen the new Round Lake team Thursday night, as well, when the Panthers played Richmond-Burton at Wauconda.

"We knew they were going to fight," said Dorgan, the Bulldogs' interim head coach with Jaime Dennis on maternity leave this season.

Round Lake delivered its best punch, but Wauconda sank enough free throws in the fourth quarter to pull out a 47-41 win and improve to 2-0 in its Thanksgiving tournament.

"That was definitely earned," said Wauconda center Katie Rossetti, who had 8 points (all from the foul line), 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. "I was not expecting it to be that close. I've played Round Lake since I was a freshman. They came out here and surprised me. They played so amazing."

While the Panthers fight on the court, their head coach fights off it. Longtime Round Lake coach and teacher Howard Conkling has lung cancer and has not taught at Round Lake all semester. He's still undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

"It's really sad," said assistant coach Doug Barnshaw, who's coached and taught with Conkling for 20 years. "He's hoping to still come back (this season). I was with him today. I think he's doing a little better."

Conkling would have liked the Panthers' effort against Wauconda. They trailed 35-28 after three quarters but opened the fourth with an 8-0 run. Sophomore guard Diane Flade knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers, and Hannah Brooks' runner in the lane had Round Lake up 36-35 with 4:35 left.

Flade, who played in a handful of varsity tournament games last season, scored a game-high 15 points (three 3s) and also grabbed 9 rebounds.

"Tonight she had the confidence and had it going," Barnshaw said. "She's also expanded her game where she's willing to attack the basket."

Flade answered 2 Rossetti free throws by draining an 18-footer to put the Panthers up 38-37 with four minutes to go. But another free throw by Rossetti, two by sophomore Allie Tylka and a steal and layup by Tylka gave the Bulldogs breathing room.

Wauconda hit 8 of 12 free throws in the fourth (19 of 33 for the game). Michaela Kimbell, who's listed at 4 feet 11, led the winners with 13 points, including two 3-pointers.

"She reminds me a lot of Lauren Nee," said Rossetti, referencing her former teammate, who was also short but could shoot it. "She can pull up from the logo and knock it down."

Tylka finished with 12 points, and Hayley Sutherland contributed 5 points and 4 steals. Wauconda's pressure defense helped cause 10 turnovers in the fourth.

"It was nice to be able to finish like we did," Dorgan said. "We hit some free throws when we needed to."

Griselda Martinez added 13 points and 7 rebounds for Round Lake, and Emely Martinez finished with 9 points.

"We're better," Barnshaw said. "We have more girls that committed themselves to the program. They played a lot in the summer and are at the point where they're coming together."