ECC closes regular season with win
The Elgin Community College women's basketball program honored its sophomores Saturday, two of whom had an instrumental role in the Spartans' 69-53 ISCC win over Oakton in the regular-season finale at the ECC Events Center.
Sophomore Kim Hotovy of Streamwood scored 17 points to lead coach Jerry McLaughlin's Spartans (16-13, 8-6) to the win. South Elgin graduate Gen Johnson, who hopes to be granted a redshirt year and return to ECC next season, added 7 points and 8 assists as the Spartans built a big lead then held off Oakton's comeback attempt in the second half.
“I improved a lot from last year,” said Hotovy, who along with teammate Ryanne Mark, another Streamwood grad, was paid a visit Saturday by Streamwood coach George Rosner and assistant Carl Prose.
“I missed a few games with being hurt and being sick and playing through it was tough but I improved a lot and I love this team.”
Hotovy will continue her education at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she will major in graphic design. Before she heads north, though, she gave McLaughlin her appreciation for her time at ECC.
“Jerry's been a good coach for me,” she said. “He's done a lot for me.”
Just as Hotovy did for the Spartans on Saturday, hitting three 3-pointers and picking up some scoring slack as Oakton put the defensive clamps on freshman Cassie Dumoulin. The Hampshire product came into the game averaging just under 25 points per game and fresh off a 38-point performance earlier in the week, but she was “held” to 16 on Saturday.
The Spartans broke open a close game late in the first half when they went on a 14-4 run to open up a 39-23 lead. Then, in a bizarre situation, the officials called for halftime with 49.3 seconds left when Oakton's Bridget Aykroid went down with a serious leg injury and trainers didn't want to move her from the court. After play resumed some 25 minutes later, the final 49.3 of the first half was played, with ECC leading 43-25 at the “break”.
After a full-time out, the second half commenced and ECC extended its lead to 56-31 in the first 5 minutes. Oakton did make a comeback but could never cut the lead under 15.
South Elgin grad Dijon Smith added 19 points and 11 rebounds for ECC.
McLaughlin said he believes the Spartans will get the fifth seed in NJCAA Region IV, Districk K postseason play and will open Thursday night at either Highland, Black Hawk or Kishwaukee.
Men's basketball
Trinity Christian 68, Judson 58: Judson saw the CCAC championship slip away with this loss in Palos Heights. Landon Skinner had 19 points and Josh Edwards added 17 for the Eagles, who will be the No. 3 seed in next week's CCAC tournament. Judson will host a first-round game at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Women's basketball
Judson 81, Trinity Christian 77: Kim Peek scored a career-high 25 points as the Eagles (12-17) won their final CCAC game of the season. Judson will open the conference tournament on the road on Tuesday.
College baseball
Harris-Stowe sweeps Judson: The Eagles fell to 4-4 on the season with their second straight doubleheader loss in St. Louis, falling to Harris-Stowe 4-0 and 3-1. Mitch Smith and Tyler Ware suffered the pitching losses for the Eagles. Levi Pippenger had 3 hits including a double and Brian Brauer had a double for Judson in Game 1. In the nightcap, T.J. Swank had an RBI for the Eagles.
College softball
MCC to hold camp: The McHenry County College women's softball team will conduct a camp for girls 8-12 years old on Feb. 26-27 in the MCC gymnasium. The 8-10 year old camp will run from 10 a.m. to noon and the 11-12 year old camp from noon to 2 p.m. each day. Camp fee is $45 for one day or $75 for both days with the proceeds going to help MCC's spring trip to Florida. For further information contact the MCC athletic department at (815) 455-8580 or e-mail head coach Howie Bierman at hbierman@aol.com.