Highland Park downs Maine West
The Maine West and Highland Park girls basketball teams traded baskets like they were going out of style in the first half Thursday night in Des Plaines.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, most of the baskets in the second half were leaving the hands of the Giants.
Nursing a slim 29-28 lead at the break, Highland Park outscored the hosts 34-17 in the final two periods en route to a 63-45 triumph in the Central Suburban North opener.
“I thought Maine West was really aggressive and getting all the rebounds in the first half,” said Giants 5-foot-7 sophomore guard Lena Munzer, who collected her fourth double-double of the season with a career-high 25 points and 14 rebounds. “We were not expecting them to do that so we had to start boxing out in the second half.”
The Giants seemed to be shooting into a big box most of the night, connecting for a season-high 44 percent from the floor (25-of-56).
“They are pretty tall so I thought I could use my speed to get around them,” said Munzer, who drove for layups but also hit from the outside (2 3-pointers).
Junior Ariel Swartz added 14 points for the defending conference champs (4-3, 1-0) while speedy guard Emily Feldman chipped in 10.
The Giants converted 11-of-13 free throws, led by Munzer's 7-of-8.
“We picked up the pace in the second half,” said Highland Park coach Jolie Bechtel, who is assisted by former Prospect all-area guard Abbie Many. “We were playing slower in the first half. Our strength is our quickness so we have to play fast every game.”
Two-time all-conference selection Briana Collier has yet to play this season while recovering from a broken ankle suffered in September. Bechtel expects the 5-foot-11 senior back in two weeks.
Freshman Brittany Collins led Maine West (0-6, 0-1) with 12 points while senior forward Kayla Kennelly added 10.
Warriors coach Derril Kipp said one bright spot was the hustling play of sophomore guard Bridget Burger, who saw her first varsity minutes off the bench.
“I was pleased with Bridget,” he said. “She is scrappy and handles the ball well.
“We just didn't guard them well,” the coach added. “Mentally we were not ready to play. We concentrated and played harder in the first half.”
The 6-foot Collins scored 8 points and 5-10 Kennelly added 6 in the second period when the Warriors outscored Highland Park 16-15.
“Highland Park did not make mistakes, didn't turn the ball over and got good shots,” Kipp said. “We turned the ball over and didn't get it into Collins in the second half.”
Providence 72, St. Viator 67: St. Viator (3-3, 0-1) dropped its East Suburban Catholic season opener in New Lenox.