Libertyville outpaces Stevenson by 1 point
If the Libertyville girls basketball team's North Suburban Lake Division opener at Stevenson on Tuesday is any indication, it's time to buckle your seat belts.
It's going to be a fun race for the conference title.
Despite missing 3 free throws in the final seven seconds, the Wildcats scored a 39-38 victory over Stevenson.
For the game, Libertyville was 8 of 17 from the line. Stevenson was just 3 of 6.
"They almost killed me at the end with those free throws," Libertyville coach Kathie Swanson said.
She could say that with a broad smile because of how well her team played when it mattered most. With Stevenson leading 38-35 and less than a minute to go, senior Katelynn Jennings was fouled while shooting a 3-pointer.
She missed the first but stuck the next two to bring her team within 38-37.
"When I missed the first one, I was even more determined to make it the next time," Jennings said.
After forcing a turnover, Libertyville had the ball and the chance to take the lead. Following a timeout, the Wildcats ran a perfect inbounds play. Jennings threw the ball out to the wing to sophomore Nicole Kruckman. Instead of cutting to the outside, Jennings went straight to the lane and made a clutch 6-footer off a Kruckman assist.
"I was surprised she was so wide open," Kruckman said.
The Patriots were unable to convert on their trip, and they were then forced to foul. Libertyville missed its free throw, but the Wildcats kept the ball alive and junior Kaca Savatic came down with the rebound. She missed her two foul shots with 4.1 seconds remaining, but Stevenson only had time for a halfcourt heave by junior Michelle O'Brien.
"We played not to lose," Stevenson coach Tom Dineen said. "Nobody wanted the ball down the stretch."
Stevenson led 31-24 late in the third quarter. Right before the buzzer, Trees drained a 3-pointer to make it 31-27.
"We want her to be assertive," Swanson said. "She has the ability to be one of the best players in the conference."
Early in the fourth quarter, Stevenson turned the ball over on four consecutive trips.
"They defended well, but we just turned it over too many times," Dineen said. "We didn't get the ball to the people on our team that can score."
O'Brien finished with a game-high 15 points. Junior McKinley Imus contributed 10 points. Senior Kelsey Simon had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.
"(Imus) is very quick and athletic," Dineen said. "She did a lot of good things for us."
Libertyville's scoring was almost perfectly balanced. Jennings and Savatic each scored 7 points. Trees, senior Leah Kruckman and junior Olivia Wilcox had 6 points apiece.
"It's not one (star)," Jennings said. "We have so many good players."