Team effort helps Hoffman Estates

Destinee Young and Jada Stotts were outstanding for Hoffman Estates in a 56-42 Mid-Suburban West win over visiting Conant.

Young scored 20 points and had 11 rebounds while Stotts added 16 points but don't forget about the bench players, according to Hawks coach Mike Nocella.

"We got into some foul trouble," said Nocella, "and Melanie McGinn came in and hit some nice outside shots, and Kelsey (Pellus) also gave us some quality minutes."

"It was a little chaotic when I got in there," said McGinn, who entered the game with less than a minute gone after starter Precious Ogunleye got into foul trouble. "We tried to bring everyone together and work as a team."

Senior Kelly Lomas led the Cougars with 17 points.

"We wanted to get some balance with our inside and outside game tonight," said Conant coach Dan Travers. "You can't always live behind the arc.

"We had some opportunities, but Hoffman's athleticism and size hurt us."

Four times the Hawks (8-1, 2-0) were able to open up double digit leads in the first three quarters, but each time Conant fought back to cut into the lead

A 3 from Lomas brought the Cougars to within 7 late in the third, but Ogunleye started the fourth quarter with a dynamic reverse layup, was fouled and canned the free throw for the 3-point play.

"Once Precious got out there," said Nocella, "she made her presence felt."

Conant was able to close within 7 again late in the contest, but inside scoring from Stotts and Young helped put the game away.

"They've been our leaders all season," said McGinn of Young, a 6-foot sophomore, and Stotts, a 5-9 senior who is playing the guard position for the first time this year.

"Jada has really stepped up," said McGinn. "To be honest, I wish I could play as well as Jada and Destinee."

Senior Tanya Skworch added 8 points for Hoffman, while Alyssa Rawleigh scored 11 for Conant.

Cougars 5-8 senior forward Jenna Heneghan scored 9 points, but more importantly was a terror on the boards. Heneghan grabbed a game high 14 rebounds.

"Jenna does a great job for us," said Travers. "She goes all out and gives you everything she has all the time, and you can't ask for more than that."