Wheeling 75, Elk Grove 33

Bianca Szafarowicz had a second quarter to remember Friday night at Elk Grove.

The 6-foot Wheeling sophomore scored 14 of her game-high 20 points in the second quarter, helping break open a game that was close early in a 75-33 Wildcats MSL East victory.

"Bianca, oh my gosh, she played great," said Wheeling coach Shelly Wiegel, "Both on offense and defense.

"Tipped balls, steals -- she gave us a lot of energy out there. She's been playing well all year, but I think this was her best game of the season."

"I just tried my best," said Szafarowicz, "and didn't think too much. When you think too much you get frustrated and stressed out."

Ashley Wilson scored 17 points despite being double- and triple-teamed, and Janelle Cannon added 16 as the Wildcats rebounded from Tuesday's tough last-second loss at Schaumburg.

"We felt like we should have won that game," said Wilson, "so we came out strong (tonight)."

"It motivated me because I felt we didn't box out well (against the Saxons)," added Szafarowicz.

The scrappy Grenadiers trailed by only 3 late in the first quarter. Then Wheeling went on a 21-2 run to take a 30-8 advantage midway through the second.

"They were trying to gift-wrap it for us," said Elk Grove coach Jim Wills. "We were stuck on 9-6 for awhile, but we couldn't do anything with it.

"Don't get me wrong -- Wheeling is a quality team, they have size and they can score from inside or outside -- but we didn't come out with the right mental focus."

Ashley Capotosto, playing with a bandage on her hand due to a sprain suffered Tuesday against Hoffman Estates, gutted it out and scored a team-high 16 points for Elk Grove.

"She's a trooper," said Wills. "They know she's our go-to player."

"I'm the type of person who tries to play through it (the injury)," Capotosto said. "I don't think about it."

Trailing 38-14 at halftime, Elk Grove was able to cut into the lead early in the third behind a couple of Capotosto buckets and a 3-pointer from Kayla Mahoney, but a 3-point play, and then a steal and layup by Cannon ended any hopes of a Grens rally.

Melissa Regan scored 6 points for Elk Grove, while Bridgette Gray contributed 5 for the Wildcats.

"They're a great program," said Capotosto of the Wildcats' state-ranked team. "They're fundamentally sound, which is something we're working toward becoming."