Conant surprises Hersey

Conant played the only home game on its schedule for the first eight weeks of the season on Tuesday night.

You can bet the Cougars can’t wait to get back home.

They pulled off their biggest win in coach Dan Travers’ six seasons, stunning area power Hersey 62-54 on Tuesday night in Hoffman Estates.

Seniors Alyssa Rawleigh (21 points), Lindsay Fillingim (19) and Kelly Lomas (14) were the top scorers in the Mid-Suburban League crossover against the Huskies, who finished third in the Class AA state finals last March.

All-stater Megan Rogowski scored a game-high 34 points and had eight 3-pointers for Hersey (3-2).

“It was a great job by the girls, they just came prepared to play,” said Travers, whose team improved to 5-1 overall. “It was their first game at home and the girls wanted to be ready to play.”

Fillingim, Lomas and Rawleigh each had one 3-pointer for the Cougars, who led 29-27 at half.

“Jenna Heneghan was all over the floor,” Travers added. “She played every minute and led us in deflections. And she was right up there in rebounds. And Hailey Andress gave us tremendous defensive pressure off the bench. We had great teamwork.”

Travers said the Cougars rebounding was better than it had been.

“We have so much respect for Hersey and Megan Rogowski is a great player,” Travers added. “The girls knew they had to step up and raise their level of play and they did. Our seniors really believed.”

Barrington 51, Buffalo Grove 44: Host Barrington topped Buffalo Grove for the second time this season as Fillies senior Shelby Whigham scored 13 points with 12 rebounds and 4 assists.

“Shelby really controlled the boards,” said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro, who won her 299th career game as the Fillies outrebounded the Bison 28-18.

Abby Kirchoff added 12 points and 9 rebounds while Sarah Mass and Brooke Chandor each chipped in 8 points.

Lizzie Deuel came off the bench to add 5 points and 3 rebounds.

“Lizzie really got us going in the second half,” Barreiro said. “She had a huge impact and made big difference for us with her effort.”

Sophomore forward Bailey North led BG (1-5) with 14 points while seniors Emily Georgoulis and KC Dunne each had 10.

Hoffman Estates 39, Elk Grove 27: Hoffman Estates’ second victory of the season over visiting Elk Grove was led by Destinee Young (13 points, 7 rebounds) and Jada Stotts (8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists).

Precious Ogunleye grabbed 7 rebounds and had 3 steals while Mary Pettit had 4 assists.

“Precious caused a lot of havoc with her rebounding and a couple of steals,” said Hoffman coach Mike Nocella, whose team is 6-0. “She had a nice game.”

Diamond Boyd led the Grenadiers (4-2) with 10 points.

Prospect 42, Palatine 27: Sarah Winans scored 14 points to lead Prospect (3-3) while McKenzie Wiedemann was tops for host Palatine (3-3) with 12 points.

“The girls did a great job on defense,” said Prospect coach Martha Kelly, whose team held Palatine to 2 points for the first 12 minutes of the second half.

Schaumburg 47, Wheeling 41: Junior forward Jenna Gerber (18 points), senior guard Rachel Stuehm (10) and senior Jennifer Pomagier (9) led host Schaumburg (4-2).

Kayla Jordan and Sydney Kieth paced Wheeling (0-7) with 10 points apiece.

Glenbrook South 52, Maine West 43: Freshman Brittany Collins (15 points) and junior Amanda Hoye (11) led visiting Maine West (0-5) in Glenview.

Hoye hit three 3-pointers against the Titans, who went 4-1 at the Schaumburg Thanksgiving tourney.

St. Viator 67, Gordon Tech 41: The Lions (3-2) led 17-4 after one quarter and never looked back in the nonconference game in Chicago.

“The key to the game was a strong first-quarter start,” said Viator coach Paul Bjerkness. “We had a balanced attack.”

Taylor Skala (9 points, 4 assist) ran the Lions’ offense which was led by Lauren Rooney (13 points, 10 rebounds), Katie Calmeyn (11 points), Katie Gavin (11 points), Emily Leazer (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Megan Bailey (9 points).

“We did a great job sharing the ball and rebounding.” Bjerkness said.

Christian Liberty 46, Alden-Hebron 35: The Chargers (1-2) won their first Northeastern Athletic Conference game on Monday night by rallying from an 8-point halftime deficit.

“We really stepped up the pressure in the second half,” said CLA coach Steve Rowland. “It was the best defense we’ve played in a long time.”

Sara Elleson, Holly Swiderek and Rachel Sotomayor, all playing with fouls, clamped down on defense and shut down Alden’s perimeter players.

Brittany Negron led the Chargers with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

Rowland said Annie Salsgiver (6 points, 3 steals) and Sotomayor (7 points, 2 steals, 2 assists) pushed the tempo on the fastbreak in the second half.

“It’s finally starting to click for the girls on the style of basketball we need to play,” he said.