Lindfors, Elk Grove hold off Fremd
With a couple of key players in foul trouble, it was even more important for Elk Grove's Courtney Lindfors to make her presence felt Tuesday night in a Mid-Suburban League girls basketball crossover game against visiting Fremd.
The 6-foot-4 senior center, headed to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, superbly rose to the occasion with a season-high 24 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists to help lead the Grenadiers to a 62-53 victory.
Despite playing about 20 minutes due to foul trouble, senior St. Bonaventure recruit Ashley Capotosto tossed in 20 points and pulled down 12 rebounds with 3 steals.
Capotosto and senior point guard Olivia Roback (also about 20 minutes of floor time due to foul trouble) each finished with 4 fouls while Lindfors fouled out with 56 seconds left.
Reserve guards Maggie Fries, Katie Naughton, Kelly Naughton and Dani Goranson all saw time to help in the backcourt.
Fries played a major role when she came into game with her team down 12-9.
The 5-foot-7 junior hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Elk Grove (6-0) ahead 15-12.
"We talked to Maggie about being confident with the shot," said Grens coach Ryan Kirkorsky. "She's going to get open shots with our two posts. She came off the bench ready to shoot."
Moments later, Capotosto made a steal and layup and then Fries drove to the basket for an 8-footer which made it 19-12 and completed a 10-0 run.
"I'm so happy for Maggie," Lindfors said. "She stays after practice to work on her shot. For her to come into a big game like this and hit those was a big lift for us."
The Grens got a big lift at the free throw line in the second half, converting 15 of 17. For the game they were 22 of 30.
"It was a free-throw parade and they made them," said Fremd coach Dave Yates, whose team (3-3) was 12 of 19 at the line. "That's what won the game."
Fremd, which trailed 44-42 when Gianna Abruzzo hit a bucket to start the fourth quarter, was led by junior Bridget Kubis (16 points), Abruzzo (11), Megan Gray (10) and Taylor Glassmann (10).
"Offensively, we got great shots, we knocked down big ones and we attacked the basket," Yates added. "I don't think the final score is indicative of how close the game was. We were in it almost the all the way."
Katie Naughton made 4 free throws in the final period while Capotosto and Roback both hit pair.
Lindfors had 11 points in the third quarter.
"With Ashley on the bench for a while, Courtney really carried the load," Kirkorsky said. "And she had 4 assists, too. She saw the floor real well and made some nice passes."