Conant clutch down stretch for third MSL win this week
Conant may have accomplished a first in Mid-Suburban League girls basketball history.
The Cougars won their third conference game in one week Saturday.
Because of scheduling conflicts, Conant's 38-34 triumph at Hoffman Estates came on the heels of wins over Barrington on Tuesday and Fremd on Thursday.
The Cougars (11-1) improved to 5-0 in the MSL West, 1 game ahead of Schaumburg (3-0), which plays again Tuesday.
Senior Ariana Zades made 3 of 4 free throws in the final 10 seconds, and classmate Lisa Parisi converted a pair with 33 seconds left to help the Cougars seal their hard-fought win.
Senior Michelle Rawleigh scored a game-high 16 points with 4 rebounds.
After junior Megan Fischer's nifty 3 points pulled Hoffman (7-5, 0-4) to within 31-30 with 2:17 left, Emma Loos (6 rebounds, 4 points, 3 assists) hit 2 free throws to increase the Cougars' lead to 33-30.
Colleen Roberts drove the baseline for a 12-footer to bring Hoffman to within 1 again, before Parisi made her 2 big free throws.
"Three conference games in one week is a physical and mental toll," said Cougars coach Dan Travers. "God bless these girls for finding a way to get a win each time.
"Hoffman did a great job. Mike (Nocella) is a great coach. We seemed a step slower compared to our games Tuesday and Thursday."
Travers went to his bench, and players like Monica Danek (2 free throws in the first half) played key roles.
"It always feels great to help my team win," Danek said. "I can come in with fresh legs and help out."
Starter Danielle Ladehoff said the Cougars were a little nervous at the start and came out a little "flatter than we hoped."
"But we picked it up," she said. "Our team synergy has always been good, and this year we've just run with it. Here we are 11-1."
Hoffman was led by Fischer (11 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals) and Megan Evans (10 points, 5 rebounds).
"I was very pleased how Megan Evans rose to the occasion," Nocella said "Defensively, I thought all our kids played great to hold them to 38 points. Because we were so good defensively, that made us a little tired on offense.
"I don't like to lose. But I thought our effort was very good. We're getting there. Considering Conant is playing so well and we were struggling, I was not unhappy about this game."
Travers said his club would not have won this game in either of the last two seasons.
"I'm proud of our girls," Travers said. "They found a way to win. We've still got to get more consistent on offense to play with the really good teams. But I give them credit for what they've done so far."