Fischer, Hawks edge Cary-Grove at Mundelein

Megan Fischer is picture-perfect from the free throw line.

As a matter of fact, a collective gasp of surprise went up from the crowd Friday at the Mundelein Holiday Classic when the Hoffman Estates senior finally missed one after knocking down 12 straight against Cary-Grove.

"Sometimes I think it just comes naturally," said Fischer of her prowess at the line. "But it's nice to know, especially in close games, that the team can depend on me."

Fischer finished with 26 points, including 13-of-14 from the foul line as Hoffman Estates defeated the Trojans 58-47 to move into the tournament championship game.

Junior guard Liz Bart led Cary-Grove with 15 points on 5 3-pointers, while 5-foor-11 sophomore guard Claire Jakubicek had 12 points and 9 rebounds.

"We knew a little bit about them (coming in)," said Jakubicek. "We knew they had number 32 (Fischer), but basically we just wanted to come out and play basketball the way we've been taught, and play our game."

Fischer came off the bench to score 11 points in the second quarter as the Hawks ran out to a double-digit halftime lead.

"We're a speedy team," said Hoffman Estates sophomore Jada Stotts (4 points, 8 rebounds), "and we used that speed to get a lot of fastbreak points."

"We tried to push the ball as much as we could," added Hoffman Estates coach Mike Nocella.

Cary-Grove was able to cut the lead to 9 in the fourth quarter after Bart nailed a 3, but Hoffman closed the game out at the line.

The Hawks hit 11 free throws late to seal the deal, shooting 21 of 30 from the foul line compared to 5 of 9 for Cary-Grove.

"This was a big game," said Hoffman junior Megan Bernardoni (8 points, 4 steals), "and we got the job done. We were able to get out in transition, drive and dish, and finish."

Megan Evans added 8 points for Hoffman while Carol King scored 6.

Senior forward Tori Sandstrom chipped in 8 points for Cary-Grove.

"They're a tough team," said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. "There's a reason they were in the semifinals, just like us."

"They've got some senior leadership, and I think at this point of the season they've jelled a little better than we have. We're still a young team - even though Meg (Straumann) and Claire were starters last year, they're still just sophomores."