Fired-up Hersey handles Viator

Hersey's girls basketball team was motivated for more than one reason when the Huskies took the floor against St. Viator on Thursday night.

First, the Huskies weren't exactly thrilled with the No. 4 seed they received Thursday for their Class 4A sectional.

Second, they were playing cross-town rival St. Viator in the Season's End tourney game.

It added up to one their most impressive games of the season, a 61-42 triumph over the Lions at the Ken Carter Gymnasium in Arlington Heights.

Playing in front of the Comcast television cameras, the Huskies lit up the scoreboard early with an game-opening 26-2 run and never looked backed while improving to 16-7, of which 4 losses are to No. l sectional seeds and one to a No. 2 seed.

"We were quite frustrated by our seed and how our strength of schedule was not reflected in the process," said Huskies coach Mary Fendley. "But we will continue to play a tough schedule. It may not pay off for the sectional, but we believe it helps in the long run."

The Huskies helped their own cause dramatically Thursday with their rebounding, led by Kristen Gierman (12), Maddie Swan (8) and Megan Rogowski (6). They outrebounded the Lions 45-23.

Megan Rogowski led Hersey with 11 points, three 3 pointers and 5 assists. Swan added 10 points, and Kelly Rogowski contributed 8 points and 4 assists.

"Julia Fredian (4 points) had a real solid game of defense and ballhandling," Fendley said. "Our rebounding was good and intensity fantastic. The kids haven't lost two games in a row all season and they were determined not to let that happen."

A steal and layup by Fredian made it 12-0 before Viator got its only points in the first 10 minutes on an 18-footer by senior Jamie Blenner.

"We've been ready for this game for two months," said junior forward Kathryn Korff, who added 9 points for the winners. "St. Viator is always a rivalry because it's in Arlington Heights. We were so ready. To come out and lead 26-2, it felt great, especially coming back from the Wheeling game (56-28 loss on Tuesday).

"We had good shot selection, few turnovers (7 for the game) and we worked as a team," added Gierman, who had 5 points.

Senior Colleen Nolan led St. Viator (15-8) with 12 points, while Kelly Hendricks added 8. The Lions made 13 of 17 free throws.

"We knew from the start it would be physical," Nolan said. "Unfortunately, nerves got the better of us, especially in the first quarter. Once we got a little of our rhythm, we played a little better. Unfortunately, it just wasn't our night."

"We didn't play well," said Lions coach Paul Bjerkness. "They beat us on the boards. We didn't box out. They made some good shots and they're a good team. They're very tough to play at Hersey and Mary (Fendley) does a nice job."

Meadows 55, Larkin 37: Freshman Amanda Gunn (12 points) and senior Maddy Urban (9) led the Rolling Meadows Mustangs (8-15) to their first home win in four years. Sophomore teammate Ashley Rios added 6 points in the nonconference win.