Elk Grove overcomes upset-minded Buffalo Grove
A pesky Buffalo Grove girls basketball team led Mid-Suburban East power Elk Grove 20-19 at halftime Saturday afternoon.
The discussion in the visiting Elk Grove locker room at the break centered around playing as a team.
"And we knew we had to win the first couple minutes of the third quarter," said Grenadiers 6-foot-4 center Courtney Lindfors. "We had to play as a team and execute."
Coach Ryan Kirkorsky's chat paid off as the Grens scored the first 6 points of the second half - 2 free throws by Olivia Roback, a layup by Lindfors and a 17-footer by Missy Regan - and never looked back in a 51-44 victory.
The Grenadiers (14-3, 2-2) had to make some free throws at the end to seal the deal, including a big pair from substitute shooter Dani Goranson.
The sophomore came off the bench and shot them for Lindfors (10 rebounds), who had to leave the game with a bloody nose after scoring 13 of her 14 points in the second half.
Goranson's 2 free throws with 26 seconds left made it 50-44.
"Those were big in that tough situation for Dani," Kirkorsky said. "She'd been sitting on the bench for a while and then had to hit 2 pressure free throws which kind of sealed the win for us."
After BG (6-11, 1-3) missed a shot in the lane, Olivia Roback (9 points) was fouled and made a free throw with 10 seconds left for the final point of the game.
Roback directed the Grens' offense, making only 1 turnover while collecting 8 assists. The senior had handed out 9 assists in the Grens' previous game.
"That's two really strong back-to-back games for Olivia," Kirkorsky said. "She looked like a true senior point guard today."
The 6-foot Ashley Capotosto looked like a true all-area standout as usual, collecting a game-high 19 points and 18 rebounds. The Grens' Leah Miller and Kelly Naughton also contributed points.
Buffalo Grove was led by junior sharpshooter Andrea DiPrima (15 points), while freshman Bailey North battled hard against Elk Grove's Division I posts (Lindfors and Capotosto) to finish with 10 points. Stacy Lialios added 6 points.
KC Dunne, Emily Georgoulis, Heather Nisbet and Michelle Jackson also contributed key points to help the Bison make things interesting start to finish.
"Bailey (North) is growing and getting more confident with every game," said Bison coach Pat Dudle. "I loved all our kids' efforts. I'm proud of them. We play a tough schedule but they keep battling every game. And I expect them to keep battling the rest of the season. We do not have any cupcakes on our schedule."
"Buffalo Grove really has a lot of offensive weapons," said BG grad Kirkorsky. "You don't ever feel like you're secure with a lead against them."