Boyd's big game lifts Elk Grove

The scoreboard showed 1:10 remaining in the first half and Elk Grove's girls basketball team was enjoying a 21-9 lead over Hoffman Estates.

Grens 5-foot-10 forward Diamond Boyd was also enjoying the half of her career.

All 21 of the Grenadiers points were by Boyd, who along with her coach Ryan Kirkorsky and teammates had no idea of the extent of the junior's tremendous scoring spree.

"I didn't know how many points I had, I was just going with the flow," Boyd said. "My teammates just really helped me out. Everyone was looking for the open pass. Everyone played well. It was a good team effort."

That team effort sustained through the second half as the Grenadiers chalked up a 41-29 victory in the final game of the Lake Park-Hoffman Estates-Elk Grove Invite.

Boyd finished with a career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds.

"Diamond's a beast." said Grens sophomore guard Melissa Solorio, who chipped in 10 points along with 7 rebounds. "That was actually crazy (in the first half). If she's open, she's got the basket. It's hard to guard Diamond."

Hoffman coach Mike Nocella would agree.

"We made adjustments, we did everything we could," Nocella said. "She just had one heck of a game."

Boyd's 9 basket's in the first half came in all varieties spinning bank shots, layups and 16-foot jumpers.

It wasn't until junior guard Kari Czeszewski (3 assists) hit a 10-foot pull-up jumper from the baseline with 1:07 left in the second quarter that the Grens had a point from someone other than Boyd.

"I had no idea that Diamond had been our only scorer to that point because everything was in the flow of what we were trying to do," Kirkorsky said. "And we talked to the kids after the game and said for Diamond to have a half like that really depends on everyone doing her job."

"Coach had us really prepared," Boyd added. "We knew what to expect and we stepped up in the positions we were in."

Point guard Kelly Naughton was not in her usual position for the third straight game. The 5-6 junior is hoping to return soon from a concussion.

"I thought all our guards did a nice job filling in doing all the things Kelly normally does for us," Kirkorsky said. "And I thought Amber Lindfors (6-4 freshman center) had her best game. I felt good about her contributions on both ends of the floor."

Nocella would have liked his standout forward Destinee Young on the floor a little more but the 6-1 junior still scored a team-high 13 points in about 23 minutes.

Young picked up her fourth foul with 6:24 in the third quarter and did not return until 6:11 of the fourth.

Hawks senior point guard Mary Pettit chipped in 9 points, all coming from 3-point land.

The Grens (2-2) kept at least a 15-point cushion most of the second half until Hoffman (1-3) ended the game on a 7-1 run.

Hersey 41, Maine West 35: Renee Poulos is the youngest player on Hersey's girls basketball roster.

But that doesn't mean the 5-foot-8 sophomore forward can't play like an upperclassman.

For the second time in four games, Poulos led the Huskies in scoring.

This time, she tossed in 14 points as Hersey won its second game at the Maine West Tip-Off Classic.

The Huskies grabbed a 13-7 lead after one quarter and never trailed in a 41-35 triumph over the host Warriors.

Senior Maggie Hogen scored 7 of her 13 points in the first quarter for Hersey and also pulled down 18 rebounds. She has 47 rebounds in three tourney games.

"Maggie was amazing," said senior point guard Jen Hall (5 points), who directs the offense. "And Renee has really stepped up inside and is playing great. I'm really proud of her."

Poulos scored 12 of her points in the second half.

"Renee has really been a pleasant surprise," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley, whose team is 2-2 and 2-1 in the Classic. "She has hit some really big shots. We've had three different leading scorers in four games, with Renee being the leader twice."

"We are improving each game, so that's good," Poulos said. "It's great working inside with Maggie (Hogen). She's great. Our shooting percentage has not been that great, but if we put our shooting together with our rebounding, then things will be even better."

Sophomore Brittany Collins led Maine West (0-4, 0-3) with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Senior guard Amanda Hoye chipped in 10 points with 5 assists and 3 steals while classmate and backcourt partner Megan John scored 8 points with 3 rebounds.

"If we get the ball more to Brittany, we'd probably be better off," said Maine West coach Derril Kipp. "I thought Megan John played better than she has been. She looked to shoot the ball a little more this game."

Grayslake Central 51, Barrington 42: All-tourney selection Nicole Collins (13 points), Maddie Bartz (9), Brooke Gunderson (6) and Angie Kirchoff (6) led Barrington (2-3) on the final day of the Bison Classic.

Maine South 48, Buffalo Grove 25: All-tourney pick Bailey North scored 10 points to lead BG (1-4) while teammates Emily Cho added 7 and Kim Herzog 6 in the final game of the Bison Classic.

State-ranked Maine South (6-0) won the crown with a 5-0 record.

Johnsburg 47, Wheeling 40: Senior Leah Malsom (14 points, 7 rebounds), senior Kellie Kuzmanic (9 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists), freshman Deanna Kuzmanic (6 points, 6 rebounds) and freshman Hailey Dammeier (6 points, 6 rebounds) led Wheeling (1-5, 1-4) on the final day of the Niles North tourney.