Buffalo Grove's Angotti, Lee make a difference

Everyone knows about the three all-area girls basketball players for Buffalo Grove's nationally-ranked team.

Twins Maggie and Allison Mocchi are off to Northwestern University while Ellen Ayoub will put on the uniform of Loyola University.

But the Bison also have two other all-area players -- in volleyball and softball.

Seniors Lauren Angotti and Katie Lee, who have played key roles off the bench for the Bison, are also stars in other sports.

Angotti was an all-area volleyball player for coach Marianne Mendoza this fall, while Katie Lee was an all-area centerfielder for Laura Stock's softball squad.

Angotti had to miss the final part of the volleyball season with mononucleosis, which also extended into the preseason of basketball. She then suffered a dislocated finger, which cost her more time early in the basketball season.

A few weeks ago, illness flared up again for Angotti, cutting into her minutes.

"It's been unfortunate with Lauren being sick and getting hurt," said BG coach Tom Dineen. "I feel bad for her because she got ill during volleyball, which is her sport.

"It's been a tough senior year for her, but during the times we've been able to get her into games when she is healthy she has responded very well. We don't miss a beat with her on the floor."

Angotti hopes the beat goes on in college.

"I think I might play volleyball, but I won't know my school until April," she said.

"I like both sports. As a team sport, basketball is my favorite because our team works so well together. Volleyball is my favorite as an individual sport because I love to hit and block. I really love attacking."

Playing volleyball at Washington University in St. Louis is among the possibilities for Angotti, who enjoys math and science and plans to be a chemistry major.

The BG chemistry remains just fine with Angotti or Lee on the floor.

"It's fun," Angotti said. "It doesn't matter who starts or comes off the bench We're doing so well so we just want to keep things just the way they are."

With her previous setbacks, Angotti is just happy to be back on the floor.

"To finally have everything over," she said. "It feels great to be back in shape and going." Dineen knows he can count on Angotti no matter what the situation.

"She is probably our fastest player," he said. "She is our best jumper, she has a soft touch around the basket and she's a good rebounder."

Angotti has been on the varsity four years.

"She is also one of our captains," Dineen said. "Lauren adds a lot for us as a leader on and off the court. She does a lot of little things for us."

Lee also provides the Bison a spark off the bench, including a 54-52 win over Marshall when she hit some big free throws late in the game.

"Katie comes into the game and competes," Dineen said. "I told her after our Christmas tournament that she would be seeing more minutes. By my own admission, I kind of forget about her when she should have been getting some more minutes. And she is going to now."

Lee scored the last basket last season for the Bison when they lost in the Class AA state quarterfinals to Morton.

"Katie has a great attitude and she is very much a team player," Dineen added. "She also has a great nose for the basketball. She goes out there and really goes after the ball."

Rest of the MSL: While Buffalo Grove and Wheeling squared off Thursday night, the rest of the MSL plays today.

Schaumburg and Conant will continue their pursuit of first place in the West as the Saxons host Barrington and Conant travels to Palatine. Fremd, just one game out of first place, plays host to Hoffman Estates.

In the MSL East, Prospect visits Hersey and Rolling Meadows is at Elk Grove.

Maine West tries to clinch at least a tie for its 24th Central Suburban North crown in 27 years under coach Derril Kipp when the Warriors travel to Highland Park.