Bison notebook: Updates from the Buffalo Grove girls team downstate

NORMAL -- Daily Herald staff writer Sheila Ahern is with the Bison this weekend as the team competes for the state title. She is a 1995 Buffalo Grove High School graduate who played on the girls basketball team that went to state in the 1994-95 season.

Bison 3-pointer add up (Friday, 9:56 p.m.)

The Buffalo Grove Girls basketball team is leading Whitney Young High School 20-15 at halftime. Neither team scored during the first three minutes of the game, but the Bison were able to get a 13-10 lead after the first quarter, thanks mostly to some clutch three-point baskets. At halftime, guard Heather Nisbet scored two three - pointers. Kaitlin Hillner and Ellen Ayoub also scored a three - point basket each. This is the third trip in a row downstate for the girls basketball team. In the past two years, the team lost close games in the first round of the tournament. In 2006, the team lost by one point in overtime. Last year, the Bison lost 59-55 after Allison Mocchi suffered a game-ending knee injury in the first quarter.

This is also the final state tournament for coach Tom Dineen, who will retire this year after 29 years leading the Bison.

Tell me a yarn (Friday, 4:50 p.m.)

It's a question Buffalo Grove Bison Coach Tom Dineen hears all the time.

What's with the sweaters?

More Coverage Links Buffalo Grove girls basketball team starts trek to state tourney in style [02/28/08] Bison guaranteed a trophy [02/29/08] Buffalo Grove 53, Rolling Meadows 51 [02/28/08] Video BGHS rally

He knows they remind people of Bill Cosby's sweaters - very detailed, very memorable. During this year's Dundee Crown tournament, Dineen gave away some of his sweaters to his assistant coaches and they all wore them to a game. But he didn't give all of them away.

There's one in particular he's had for years.

It's a red, white and blue sweater that resembles an American flag.

It's also pretty lucky.

Dineen has never lost when he's worn that sweater.

The problem is it's a little much for the state tourney. However, he did bring it with him #8230;

Positive thinking (Friday, 4:50 p.m.)

On the team's weekend itinerary Coach Tom Dineen penciled in a reception back at Buffalo Grove High School for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday to celebrate the team's state title. He did add several question marks though.

Battle of the mascots

Buffalo Grove High School students are the Bison. Whitney Young High School students are the Dolphins.

Expensive team spirit

Fans can buy a T-shirt or sweatshirt complete with the 2007-08 Bison roster printed on the back. It's expensive. T-shirts range from $15 to $20 and hooded sweatshirts cost $32. Tack on another $8 to get the Bison's roster ironed on.

Tonight's game's special (Friday, 4:50 p.m.)

How to tell it's not your typical high school game - time outs for commercial television breaks, a court-length media row and a special "interview room" where teams are shuttled after games.

Girls are better than boys.

Dineen was taping ankles for the Buffalo Grove girls team in 1979 when he was asked to coach. He ended up with a 24-7 record.

Over the years, he's been asked to switch over and coach the boys team twice, but Dineen never took the offer. According to Dineen, girls listen more. They're team players in a way boys are not.

So what if Dineen also deals with good luck Beanie Babies and spirit sticks? So what if he has to hear about bad hair days and boyfriends? It's all part of the package.

Once a coach #8230; (Friday, 4:50 p.m.)

Bo matter the age, former players still refer to the coach as "Mr. Dineen." No one ever switches to the less formal "Tom." And he never corrects them.

Old friends showing up (Friday, 4:50 p.m.)

Allison Guth stopped by the Redbird Arena today. Guth was part of the 2000 state championship Bison team. The Arlington Heights native graduated from the University of Illinois in 2004, where she began as a walk-on before earning her scholarship. She was recently hired as an assistant coach for the University of Missouri.

Team togetherness (Friday, 10:27 a.m.)

The Bison don't play until tonight, but that didn't mean the girls watched television and did each other's hair on Thursday. Coach Tom Dineen had them on a tight schedule. And everything they did, they did together. In two small buses, the team drove to Bloomington. After a quick lunch at Panera, the team checked into their hotel. By 2:30 p.m. the Bison were shooting around at the Redbird Arena. Before the shoot around, the girls took team and individual photos and television shot some video for tonight's game, which will be televised on Channel 50. At around 5 p.m., the girls returned to the hotel to get ready for a banquet, which was attended by all four teams.

Rise and shine (Friday, 10:27 a.m.)

Today breakfast is at 9:30 a.m., followed by another practice at Illinois Wesleyan. Lunch will be at the Olive Garden. With Panera yesterday and pasta today, it's clear this team is a big fan of both winning the state title and carbs.

Sleeping in style (Thursday, 6:58 p.m.)

The Bison and the other state qualifying teams all stay at the Doubletree through Sunday. It's easily the nicest hotel in the area. The hotel reserves rooms for coaches and all players, so there's virtually no room for parents or visitors. The result is one of the largest sleepovers ever.

Laced together (Thursday, 6:58 p.m.)

When the girls beat St. Charles North on Monday, they cut down the basketball net after the game. On Thursday, they brought the net to Bloomington, cut it up and each tied a piece of the net to their shoelace. The team will wear the net attached to their shoes for today's game as a reminder of how far they've come.

Where everybody knows your name (Thursday, 6:58 p.m.)

Walking into the Redbird Arena for 29-year Coach Tom Dineen is sort of like Norm walking into Cheers. Everyone knows him. Illinois High School Association officials, other coaches and just about everyone else. They all wished him luck. "Thanks, this is it," Dineen replied, referring to his plans to retire after this season.

Alum stops by (Thursday, 6:58 p.m.)

Former Bison Ashley Sandstead stopped by the Redbird Arena Thursday to wish the team good luck. Sandstead was a four-year starter who graduated in 2004. She ranked third in career scoring (1,871), sixth in career steals (248) and eighth in career assists (301) at Buffalo Grove High School. Currently, she's playing for Illinois State University. Sandstead was recently granted an extra year of eligibility, and will continue playing next year.