Schaumburg 62, Fremd 38

Schaumburg cruised through the first half of its Mid-Suburban West girls basketball schedule with a 5-0 record.

But the Saxons lost back-to-back conference games to Fremd and Hoffman Estates, throwing the race up for grabs.

Schaumburg was back in total control Friday against visiting Barrington.

The Saxons jumped out to a 37-19 halftime advantage and increased their margin to 32 points to begin the final quarter en route to a 62-38 victory.

Despite the two setbacks, Schaumburg (21-3, 6-2) can claim at least a share of the MSL West title with victories over first-place Conant and Palatine next week.

"I thought we played very well tonight," said Schaumburg coach Bill Murmann, whose team would play in the MSL title game if it can win its next two games. "The bottom line is regardless of everything that has happened, we control our own destiny."

The Saxons took control by going 8-for-12 from the field in the opening quarter to take a 21-8 lead.

"Our main goal tonight was to come out strong," said Saxons senior guard Drewann Pancratz, who scored 9 of her 11 points in the opening half. "In our two losses we didn't come out with the same intensity as we did tonight.

"We're learning from that and we showed it tonight."

Senior Kylie Castans scored a game-high 17 points, including three 3-pointers, for the Saxons. Senior Gabby Blackwell added 10 points and 11 rebounds.

"Fremd and Hoffman were horrible games and we had something to prove tonight," added Castans. "I think we really moved the ball well."

Barrington (5-19, 2-6) fell behind by 17 points early in the second quarter, but the Fillies used a 7-0 run to narrow the deficit to 29-19 with 3:22 remaining before halftime.

Junior Anna Kirchoff came off the bench to give the Fillies a spark by scoring 4 of her 8 points during the surge.

But the Saxons ended the first half on an 8-0 run to take an 18-point advantage.

"They came to play tonight," said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro of the Saxons. "I've been happy with how my kids have been playing but tonight they looked tentative and nervous."

Schaumburg then started the second half with an 11-0 run to increase its advantage to 29 points.

"I think we just wanted to put the game away," said Castans, who contributed 7 points during the Saxons' third-quarter explosion.

Now the Saxons are looking to stay focused as they face state-ranked Fenwick and Providence today in Sweet 16 action.

"We're just really focused," said Castans, "We're not looking to have any more letdowns."

Conant 20, Palatine 18: The visiting Cougars (20-4, 7-1) maintained their 1-game lead over Schaumburg and Fremd in the MSL West.

Senior Lisa Parisi led the Cougars with 8 points while her backcourt partner and classmate Ariana Zades added 7 against the Pirates (7-17, 1-7).

Elk Grove 42, Meadows 36: A pair of 3-pointers by Kelly Adair (19 points) and one by Shannon McGuire helped pull Meadows (6-17, 0-8) within 5 points late in the game.

But the Grenadiers (13-11, 3-5) held off the Mustangs as sophomore Ashley Capotosto (19 points, 16 rebounds) made 4-of-4 free throws down the stretch and had Elk Grove's only field goal in the final period of the MSL East game.

Krystina Leazer and Kayla Mahoney each hit 3-pointers for Elk Grove.

Olivia Roback had 3 steals and 3 assists while Kristy Ottosen pulled down 6 rebounds.

Maine W. 34, Highland Park 29:ŒHost Highland Park pulled into a 29-29 with three minutes left in the Central Suburban North game.

But the Warriors (19-6, 8-0) shut out the Giants the rest of the way.

Erin Baumstark's 15-footer near the free throw line made it 31-29, then Colleen Vana (8 points, 3 assists) hit 2 free throws and Mary Kusner 1 to finish off the scoring.

West claimed at least a tie for its 24th CSL divisional title in 27 seasons under coach Derril Kipp.

Brittany Begrowicz collected 7 points and 7 rebounds for the winners while Kusner scored 9 points with 4 rebounds.

"We didn't rebound well and we didn't hit shots," Kipp said. "Luckily, our defense was good enough to win the game."