Long-range shooting sinks LZ

Three-pointers became contagious for the Montini girls basketball team Saturday afternoon.

The Broncos hit eight from beyond the arc, including six by four players in the second quarter, in shooting past Lake Zurich 58-42 in the Suburban Holiday Showcase in Lombard.

Cootie Leeberg and Alison Seberger each hit two of their three 3-pointers in the pivotal second quarter for Montini (9-4). The Broncos outscored Lake Zurich 23-12 in the frame to lead 29-18 at the half.

"When one of our teammates hits one, we all hit 'em," Leeberg said of her team's trey barrage.

"Whatever got into us, I hope it stays in us because I think it makes us harder to defend," Montini coach Jason Nichols said.

Lake Zurich (12-3) limited Montini 6-foot-3 center Michala Johnson to 3 points in the first half, but paid a price as the Broncos caught fire from the outside.

"We had to help down in the post because obviously Johnson is a very nice player," Bears coach Chris Bennett said. "We probably helped a little more than we needed to because I thought Lydia (Bauer) did a nice job on her, but if you're going to help in the post you've got to give them something. We gave them 3s and, hey, their kids hit 'em."

Lake Zurich devoted more attention to defending the perimeter in the second half, but that gave Johnson more room to operate inside. She scored 16 of her game-high 19 points in the second half to keep the Bears at bay.

"All she needs is a little space," Nichols said of Johnson. "She slices and dices."

Johnson didn't mind that her teammates shouldered the scoring burden in the first half.

"If they see that they're double-teaming me or I can't get open, it's good for them because they can have open looks," Johnson said. "It's not always about me and passing me the ball. Everybody needs to shoot."

The Broncos led 43-38 late in the third quarter, then closed the game with a 15-4 run to secure their sixth straight victory.

Leeberg delivered a big game. The senior guard registered 14 points, a game-high 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists.

Whitney Holloway and Seberger each chipped in 9 points for Montini, which improved to 3-0 in the tourney. Holloway also totaled team-highs of 5 steals and 4 assists.

Olivia Allen's 15 points paced Lake Zurich. Lydia Bauer finished with 13 and Peggie Parhas added 10 for the Bears.