No Swan song for Hersey, instead a sectional title

Posted February 25, 2010 10:00 pm

By John Leusch

A few months ago when Maddie Swan's high school volleyball career ended with a loss in a Class 4A sectional championship at Stevenson High School, she had a few basketball buddies waiting to console her after the match.

"They came up and hugged me afterward," said the Hersey senior forward and all-area volleyball middle hitter. "They told me we're going to win one (sectional championship) for me in basketball and they kept hugging me."

The hugs from those same friends, now her teammates, were there again Thursday night after the Class 4A Libertyville girls basketball sectional title.

This time, they were victory hugs.

Swan and the No. 2-seeded Huskies used a big second-quarter blitz to forge ahead 30-15 at the intermission and then lock up a 49-37 victory over No. 8 Barrington for their first sectional crown since 1994.

The Huskies (26-7) advanced to the Streamwood supersectional on Monday night and will face Geneva (31-0).

Another friend of the Hersey program also stepped forward.

Corinne Vossel, a leading scorer for coach Linda Mass's 1994 Hersey team, stopped by and gave the current Huskies a pep talk two weeks go.

"I thought that had a big impact on our girls," said Huskies coach Mary Fendley. "Even though it was 16 years ago, you could see how much it meant to Corinne and how focused the kids were listening to her."

Junior Megan Rogowski (1,625 points), who recently broke Vossel's career scoring record of 1,527, rang up 25 to lead the Huskies on Thursday.

wan added points 11 and Kathryn Korff 6.

"She (Vossel) told us how much it meant to her and how special it was," Rogowski said. "And now we got to do the same thing. I can't believe we did it."

"It's unbelievable," Swan added. "We've worked toward this all season."

The Huskies worked their press to perfection in the second quarter when they broke open a tight game with a 20-4 run.

Kari Tunney came off the bench and contributed a quick steal and assist to Rogowski for a bucket.

Korff had 2 big steals off the press as the Huskies went up 27-13 when Eileen Zydek hit pair of free throws with 2:53 left in the half.

"Our press was our best offense," said Rogowski (8 points in the second quarter). "That's when we got all our momentum in the second quarter and made our run."

The Fillies (19-13) made a big run early in the second half.

After Rogowski's driving bank shot made it 32-15, Barrington scored the next 11 points.

The Fillies got to within 32-26 when Abby Kirchoff hit 2 free throws with 2:08 left in the third period.

But Rogowski stopped the streak by hitting her fifth 3-pointer of the game.

"I thought that was the huge issue," said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro. "We gave up too many big buckets to Rogowski. But she is who she is. The timing of her buckets were huge. We got it down to 6 and then she hit the 3."

Kirchoff led the Fillies with 15 points, while Emily Harris added 9 and sophomore Nicole Collins 5.

"Their press is what hurt us," Barreiro said. "Quite honestly, that is not something we have struggled with this season. But this game we did not handle it well. "

Eight of the nine players in Barrington's starting rotation are expected to return.

"I'm very proud of the way the kids came together at the end of the season," Barreiro added "We're every excited for next season.

"Emily Harris (only starting senior) gave us everything she had on the floor. I wish her best of luck next season.

"Hersey is a very good team and Mary (Fendley) and Julia (Barthel, assistant) do a very good job."

Junior Sarah Mass had a big basket during the Fillies' big third-quarter run.

"Sarah gave us some fabulous leadership," Barreiro added

"Abby (Kirchoff) always had a target on her back and she had handled it well all season.

"We've competed with best teams in the state all season. I'm proud of these kids. They can leave here with their heads held high."

Barrington guard goes up for a shot in between Hersey players Eileen Zydek, left, and Megan Rogowski during the Class 4A girls high school basketball game Thursday between Hersey and Barrington at Libertyville High School. Gilbert R. Boucher II | Staff Photographer

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