Book it: Warren upsets Zion-Benton

Warren girls basketball coach John Stanczykiewicz had a simple message for senior reserve forward Alex Booker.

It was deep in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's regional semifinal against Zion-Benton at Mundelein. Zion-Benton had completed its comeback and Warren was battling the Zee-Bees' press and foul trouble.

"I looked at her and told her that we would need her," Stanczykiewicz said.

Booker only scored 6 points, but two of her baskets could not have been more critical. In fact, they were an essential reason why Warren emerged with a 56-55 overtime victory.

The Blue Devils will play for the regional title Thursday against Hersey.

Booker scored a basket near the end of regulation that tied score at 46-46. In overtime, her basket from point-blank range gave the Warren a 56-55 lead with 5 seconds left.

Warren sophomore Alexis Leneau, who scored a team-high 18 points, drove the left side of the lane. Zion-Benton's defense collapsed on her, leaving Booker under the hoop.

"I was trying to go to the basket and at the last minute I saw she was standing right there," Leneau said. "Zion's defense is usually (strong). We were lucky it fell apart at the perfect time."

Booker was not even anticipating a pass.

"I was trying to get into rebounding position," she said. "When I (got the ball), I thought someone would step in. I was shocked."

Of course, there were still five ticks left on the clock, and a lot happened during this stretch. Zion-Benton was called for an inbounds violation, giving Warren the ball underneath its own basket. The Blue Devils inbounded the ball to senior Megan Kilroy, but she was immediately tied up by Zion-Benton's defense.

Zion-Benton had the possession arrow and three seconds to work with. The Blue Devils prevented Juanita Robinson (20 points) from getting the ball, and the Zee-Bees were forced to try a shot from three-quarters court.

In addition to Booker, senior Tiffany Bembry (4 points) scored two important baskets. One came on a great pass from freshman Amanda Barger that gave Warren a 54-52 lead in overtime.

"In a game like this, you have to hope your seniors will make key plays," Stanczykiewicz said.

Although she fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter, Warren sophomore Jessica Prince still found time to record a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds). Barger scored 9 points.

Warren struggled all game from the free-throw line (8 of 20), but Zion-Benton (19 of 32) was not able to take full advantage of the free-throw disparity. Although the Blue Devils were cold from the line, they were hot from the field. Warren connected on 50 percent of its field-goal attempts.

After getting swept in the regular season by Zion-Benton, the Blue Devils won the game that mattered most.

"It's nice to get over the hill against Zion, but we know how well Hersey is playing," Stanczykiewicz said. "We're happy but not satisfied."