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Kirk's clutch pickoff helps Meadows edge Elk Grove

Ty Kirk has been an impact player on the Rolling Meadows football team.

On Thursday night, the senior put his defensive back skills to use on the basketball court.

With Meadows clinging to a 3-point lead over visiting Elk Grove and only seconds remaining, Kirk leaped high into the air to pick off a pass and prevent a game-tying 3-point attempt.

Kirk's stellar defensive play enabled the Mustangs to escape with a 50-47 Mid-Suburban East win.

"That was a nice little interception," said Meadows coach Kevin Katovich of the steal.

"He (Kirk) can flat out jump out of the gym," added Elk Grove senior Joe Baxter, one of the Grens whose effort on defense was instrumental in the visitors' rally.

Guard Kyle Gaedele of the Mustangs (10-7, 4-3) scored 16 of his game-high 18 points in the first three quarters as they held a double-digit lead for most of the game.

"They did the things they had to do to execute and get the lead," said Grens coach Anthony Furman, "but we battled back. We talked about responding and preventing their runs."

The Grens (2-18, 0-7) trailed by 8 points to open the final quarter but went on a 12-2 run to grab a 42-40 lead with 3:33 left in the game.

Then a 3-point play by Ben Sabal (9 points) and a 3 from the corner from Kevin Serna (8 points) gave the advantage back to Meadows.

Elk Grove trailed by 3 in the final moments when a tying 3-point attempt by Billy Hubly (13 points) rimmed out.

Gaedele rebounded and was fouled with 6.2 seconds remaining. He missed the front end of a 1-and-1 situation.

Elk Grove rushed the ball downcourt, but Kirk stepped in front of the pass attempt that was ticketed for guard Kevin McDonald.

"Elk Grove did a tremendous job," said Katovich, "but we hung in there and gutted it out at the end."

Grens junior forward Matt Martinski scored a team-high 17 points.

"We were right there," said Baxter. "We have the ability and we started clicking. A game like this gives us a spark and shows what we can do."

"I'm proud of these guys, but we're not satisfied," Furman said

Girls basketball

Season's End tourney: Hersey improved to 8-14 with the 54-38 victory over St. Viator in the Season's End tourney in Arlington Heights. Sarah Stoltzner led the way with 16 points, 5 steals, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Junior Kelly Rogowski added 13 for the Huskies while her sister Megan, a freshman, collected 12.

St. Viator (10-14) was paced by Kelly Hendricks (12 points) and Colleen Nolan (9).

Œ Willowbrook posted a 42-29 triumph over Rolling Meadows (6-16), which was led by Emily Miller's 7 points.

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