Maine West gives Highland Park its first loss in Central Suburban North

Maine West's girls basketball team may not have won the Central Suburban North championship Friday night but they defeated the champions.

Led by senior guard Samantha Acosta (16 points) and senior forward Megan O'Neill (15 points, 10 rebounds), the secnd-place Warriors (13-17, 8-2) handed host Highland Park its only loss in the conference.

Acosta is in her second week back from a knee injury which sidelined her for nearly a month.

"Samantha played just about the whole game," said Maine West coach Derril Kipp, who notched career win No. 703. "When she is healthy, it makes such a big difference."

Senior Ellen Coogan helped make a difference, too, as she grabbed 9 rebounds with her 8 points.

Sophomore point guard Amanda Hoye handed out 7 assists, playing what Kipp called the "best game of her career."

The No. 10 seeded Warriors will meet No. 7 Loyola in their first game of the Glenbrook North regional next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Juniors Katherine Kusner and Kayla Kennelly are also back after lengthy layoffs due to injuries.

Senior Alli Ellwood chipped in 5 points for the Warriors.