Huntley wins defensive battle
It became evident early on that Huntley's Fox Valley Conference Fox Division matchup with Prairie Ridge was going to be a defensive battle. One stretch of the second quarter featured turnovers on 10 straight possessions. But in the end, the Red Raiders gutted out a 30-27 win in Huntley.
"The last 2 games we've really had to grind it out and find ways to manufacture a win," said Huntley coach Steve Raethz, whose team beat Crystal Lake Central 28-25 earlier in the week.
"It wasn't pretty, but it's never really pretty during the conference season."
Five players tied for game-high scoring honors with 6 points apiece, including Hillary Johnson, Allyson Stellmach and Amanda Wisniewski for the winners.
Julie Schwartz and Taylor Smerecky each scored 6 for the Wolves.
Prairie Ridge erased a 6-point halftime deficit and led 25-24 on 2 free throws by Haley Ljunngren 30 seconds into the final quarter. The score stayed that way until Johnson made 2 free throws with 4:38 left, putting the Red Raiders back on top.
The score stayed 26-25 Huntley until 9.3 seconds remained, when the Wolves' Jackie Schwartz was called for an intentional foul against Carly Goede. Goede made both free throws and, on the ensuing possession, Kadie Lowery added 2 more foul shots. That put Huntley safely ahead at 30-25. Smerecky's putback at the buzzer accounted for the final margin.
"We played probably our best game of the year," said Prairie Ridge coach Steven Rick. "Even though it's a loss, I'm more proud of this game than any other game we've played this year."
Huntley's defensive dominance showed up on the stat sheet. The Red Raiders outrebounded the visitors from Crystal Lake 28-19, led by Wisniewski with 6, and forced 22 turnovers.
Still, a pair of 3-pointers by Julie Schwartz and one by Shannon Hennelly got the Wolves as close as 22-21 in the third quarter. A twisting layup by Ljunngren then gave the visitors their first lead since 1-0.
Megan Martinez chipped in with 5 rebounds and 3 assists for Huntley.