Grant prevails in OT

Just 2.8 seconds remained in regulation Saturday night as Grant senior Jamie Swanson stepped to the free-throw line.

Grant trailed Waukegan by a point in the title game of the Mundelein Lady Mustangs Holiday Classic.

All the fans in the Mundelein gym were on their feet anticipating the free throws by Swanson.

With all of the pressure mounting, one might guess that Swanson's mind was on the free throw and nothing else.

Think again.

"All I could think about was the same situation (in the conference title game) last year against Warren," Swanson said. "I knew I had to make both and I remember we lost that game."

Swanson made just 1 of 2 tries last year as Grant fell to Warren for the North Suburban Conference crown. This time, Swanson also made 1 of 2 free throws -- but the result was different.

Grant outscored Waukegan 12-5 in overtime and went on to claim the tournament title with a thrilling 71-64 victory that avenged a 1-point loss last month.

The victory offset a tremendous effort from Waukegan senior Bianca Jarrett.

Jarrett, who transferred to Waukegan from Zion-Benton before the season, poured in a season-high 32 points -- 20 in the second half and in overtime -- before she fouled out.

Danasha Jones was the only other Waukegan player in double figures as she finished with 17.

"We lost to (Waukegan) at the beginning of the year and I know we wanted to get back at them for that," said Swanson, who scored 18 of her team-high 20 points in the second half and overtime. "I just tried to block out the crowd noise and hit the free throw -- and I was glad we got the win this time."

Swanson and Grant (14-2) spent a lot of time at the free-throw line. Grant shot 49 free throws and made 28 --including several key ones in the final minutes of regulation to force the extra session.

"I think even tonight we try and pretend like we are shooting free throws in practice," said Grant senior Tori Ziegler, who hit 7 of 11 from the line and was one of four Bulldogs in double figures with 15 points.

Waukegan (15-5) pulled out to 43-38 lead early in the fourth quarter when Jarrett single-handedly took over, at one point scoring 11 straight points. But even then, Waukegan couldn't get enough breathing room.

Jarrett was also a regular at the foul line. But as good as she was early in the quarter, her 4 straight misses at the end of regulation cost Waukegan.

"We have got to learn how to finish games like this or it is going to be a very short run for us in the postseason," said Waukegan coach Rommel Drake. "We missed a lot of free throws and layups that we just can't do if we are going to be the type of team to win games late in the year."

Even with the misses, Waukegan still held the lead, but Grant kept pecking away. A 3-pointer by Swanson pulled Grant close, then free throws from Ziegler, Bailey Wagner (10 points) and Autumn Gaylor (14 points) set up the final chance by Swanson.

"Even though (Jamie) missed the free throw in regulation she really turned it on in overtime," Grant coach Tom Oeffling said. "I am very proud of the girls and this is big for us to get this championship over a good team like Waukegan."

In the extra session, Ziegler and Swanson were tough to contend with, and when Jarrett fouled out, Grant took complete control.

"We coaches have talked to the girls about this being their team," Oeffling said. "It is about what type of memories do they want to have this season. We will be here after they go, but for them, it is how do they want to remember this year."

Mundelein 55, Huntley 39: J.J. Sawchuk scored a game-high 18 points for the Mustangs in their final game of their own tournament.

Kelsey Weyers added 11 for Mundelein (13-4, 4-1).

Libertyville 54, RM 19: Casey Hopper and Ali Haws had 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Wildcats.

Libertyville (9-9) finished 3-2 at Mundelein.

Vernon Hills 58, PR 57: Amy Burton sank 2 free throws with 6.7 seconds left to lift the Cougars.

Burton finished with a season-high 20 points and 7 rebounds. Jessica Schwartz also hit her season-best point total with 14, in addition to grabbing 8 rebounds.

Vernon Hills (7-10, 2-3) got a solid all-around game from Brianna Skeens, as well. She finished with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals.

Shannon Hennelly had 23 points (five 3-pointers) for Prairie Ridge.

Z-B 50, Belvidere 31: Brittany Simmons had 16 points for Zion-Benton, and Dominikque Williams added 11.

C-G 60, Conant 58 (OT): Cary-Grove prevailed in the third-place game by outscoring Conant 8-6 in overtime.

Jamie Kuhl had 12 points for C-G, while Jill Cole, Danielle Smith and Meg Straumann each had 11.

Conant (14-3), which lost its second in a row, was led by Michelle Rawleigh's 22 points.