Buffalo Grove 59, Hersey 34

Four-year varsity starter Ellen Ayoub scored 18 points as Buffalo Grove celebrated senior night and the return of junior Kaitlin Hillner in a 59-34 Mid-Suburban East girls basketball victory over Hersey.

Senior Maggie Mocchi scored 11 points, and four other seniors contributed to the win while Hillner played only days after a frightening moment in Saturday's loss to Hinsdale Central.

Hillner suffered an asthma attack and was taken to the emergency room.

"It was very scary," she said. "I couldn't catch my breath, and I didn't know if I was going to be able to catch my breath."

"Her heart was racing, and we couldn't stop it from racing," added BG coach Tom Dineen,.

It was the second time this season a respiratory ailment, which Hillner has suffered from since the fourth grade, forced her to leave a game early.

"She got (medical) clearance to play tonight," added Dineen," but we were keeping an eye on her."

Despite the scare, Hillner was able to return to the starting lineup, and hit a clutch 3-pointer as BG broke open a close contest midway through the third quarter.

"I was fine the last time this happened (in November in a game against Hoffman Estates)," said Hillner. "So I just treated this like a regular game."

Freshman Megan Rogowski scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds to lead Hersey against the taller Bison.

"After the first quarter," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley, "our rebounding kept us in the game.

"We were down by only 3, then the wheels fell off."

BG led 24-21 with 4:58 remaining in the third when Hillner's long 3 from the corner and a ferocious full-court press helped the Bison extend the lead.

Lauren Angotti (8 points) sank a layup at the third-quarter buzzer to give the Bison a double-digit advantage, then senior Allison Mocchi (7 points) hit a free throw early in the fourth to extend the lead to 48-28.

Senior Allison Heissel scored 2 points while classmate Katie Lee was a force on the defensive end, helping to key the Bison press. Ayoub added 8 rebounds for BG.

"We tried to get the seniors as much playing time together as possible (tonight)," said Dineen. "They had fun, and got a lot of minutes."

"I still remember my first game," added Ayoub, reflecting on her freshman season. "It doesn't seem that long ago."