Libertyville stuns another NSC Lake giant

For the second time in 10 days, Libertyville girls basketball pulled off a stunning upset in the North Suburban Lake Division.

Its first one was over Mundelein. Tuesday night, the Wildcats tripped up visiting Lake Zurich 40-29 to hand the Bears their first loss.

Kristy Williams and Savannah Trees led Libertyville with 13 points apiece.

"We just came out and we were so prepared to play," Williams said. "We knew Lake Zurich was a very good team. We figured since we beat Mundelein we can do it to them. It's a great accomplishment."

"Lake Zurich was a team that's had a lot of recognition," said coach Kathie Swanson, whose Wildcats improved to 5-6, 3-2. "Coming out with a victory against these guys is huge."

With the score tied 25-25 after three quarters, Trees scored 6 unanswered points. The sophomore guard had 7 rebounds on the night.

"She was big," Williams said. "She's taking steps. We know how much talent and ability she has. She's starting to show it like in the Mundelein game and in this one."

Lake Zurich (8-1, 3-1) pulled within 31-29 on Olivia Allen's steal and layup with 3:09 left.

But Libertyville made 9 of 16 free throws down the stretch.

The Wildcats had a 10-5 advantage on the boards in the fourth, while limiting the Bears to 2-of-18 shooting from the floor in the quarter.

"We had no energy here tonight and weren't prepared for this game," Lake Zurich coach Chris Bennett said. "It's my fault.

"Libertyville did a great job and their zone took us out of everything we were trying to do. We couldn't get any good looks at the basket. We did have a nice run at them, but they responded. That's what good teams do."

Lake Zurich trailed 23-16 at the break before using a 9-2 run to pull even after three.

Audrey Bauer led the Bears with 9 points and her sister Lydia had 8.