No generosity by Conant

Conant's defense certainly isn't known for its generosity.

The Cougars' opponents have been routinely limited offensively and Thursday it was Fremd's turn.

The host Cougars held back the Vikings and used a balanced attack for a 45-31 Mid-Suburban West girls basketball victory in Hoffman Estates.

"To win championship games, you have to play defense," said Conant coach Dan Travers. "You have to be able to play defense then you have to have the ability to score. We pride ourselves on defense and these girls have worked so hard on their skill level to get enough points."

The game stayed close throughout much of the first half, but Conant (10-1, 4-0) controlled the pace and never trailed.

Emma Loos was effective on both ends of the court. She scored Conant's first 7 points of the second quarter and when she and Ariana Zades (4 points) sank back-to-back 3-pointers, the hosts went up 18-10.

"It was good," Loos said. "We knew this was a really big game. Our team we played really well.

"I think we all contribute points and do different things. It's not just one person -- it's a team thing."

In addition to 11 points, she did her share off cooling down the Vikings.

"If you want to talk defense it's got to start with Emma Loos," Travers said. "She is one of the best guards in the area. She guards the ball, handles the ball, passes the ball and sells the popcorn."

Conant's starting lineup of seniors was very effective. Loos, Zades, Lisa Parisi (10), Michelle Rawleigh (9) and Danielle Ladenhoff (4) all balanced the offense.

"The seniors have come so far from where they were two years ago with just 8 wins to now," Travers said. "These girls have stayed with it. They've believed in what we're doing and we're not done."

Sophomore Ashley Lindeman scored 5 points off the bench for Conant.

"(Conant) did a better job of executing," said Fremd coach David Yates. "They got the lead, kept the lead and held the lead."

Fremd (4-6, 2-1) played strong and had a solid game from Gianna Abruzzo. The sophomore came off the bench to lead the Vikings with 11 points, including 5-of-5 free-throw shooting.

Kaitlin Jones added 8 more off the bench while Taylor Glassman scored 6 more

"We did some things different in the second half," Yates said. "We played harder but we just weren't in synch. Maybe that's a credit to what (Conant) was doing. Things we've normally been doing just weren't there tonight."

Fremd's defense held Conant to just 6 points in the third quarter.

"We've been (playing good defense) all year long," Yates said. "The flip side of that is sooner or later you've got to knock some shots down.

"Going into the fourth quarter with only 20 points is not a place we've been very often."