Maine South stops Prospect
It wasn't another 29-point performance but junior Adriane Falagario was the high scorer for Prospect's girls basketball team for the third straight game.
The 5-foot-6 junior scored 11 points against Class 4A state-ranked Maine South on Saturday in Park Ridge.
But the Hawks used their own balanced scoring to snap the Knights' four-game wining streak with a 71-45 victory.
Falagario, who led Prospect (8-4) with 29 points and 21-of-22 free-throw shooting at Wheeling a day earlier, was followed in the Knights' scoring by freshman Taylor Will (9 points), junior Michele Molini (6), senior Maura Benson (5) and senior Jessica Petrovski (5).
"These are definitely the type of teams we want we to play," said Falagario of the state-ranked Hawks (11-1), whose only loss is to New Trier. "These are the games that make you better."
Not many players have been better than Falagario lately, who shared team scoring honors with 10 points against St. Viator on Monday.
"Adriane has really been coming along," said Knights coach Martha Kelly. "We've been talking to her about contributing more offensively, and she has bought into it."
Maine South led 22-12 at half and 42-21 at intermission.
"All their players are valuable, they can all hit their shots," Falagario said. "We had a long week. We could have come out with more energy. But we are resilient. We don't give up. That's how we have won a lot of games."
Maine South was led by Michelle Maher (16 points), Jacqui Grant (11) and Nina Duric (10).
"Prospect always plays hard," said Hawks coach Mark Smith. "That Maura Benson (Knights senior forward) is a ton inside. This was a good win for us, especially after last night (65-55 win over Niles West)."
Next up for the Hawks is Glenbrook South.
"They have our number," Smith added. "We struggle at their place. We'll look at a lot of film and see what we can figure out."
Kelly figures Maine South as one of the top clubs the Knights will see this season.
"They're a good team," she said. "They pass well. They push the ball up the floor well and they play good solid defense. That's why they are 11-1."
Zion-Benton 63, Hoffman Estates 54: The Hawks lost more than the game in first-round action of the Mundelein tourney.
Hoffman Estates highly-recrutied junior Destinee Young was undercut while driving for a layup. She crashed to the floor and suffered a concussion and required five stitches in her chin, according to Hoffman coach Mike Nocella, who characterized it as a clean but unfortunate play.
Young had scored 4 points late in the first quarter, when the injury occurred.
The Hawks still managed to lead for much of the game and were still in front with 2:16 left when a combination of Zion-Benton pressure and inexperienced players on the floor for Hoffman took their toll. Becca Stoczynski (game-high 22 points) and Mary Pettit (9 points) both fouled out; combined with Young's absence, the Hawks had a hard time with Z-B's full-court press.
Octavia Crump led Zion-Benton with 20 points.
Sara Burns had 8 points and Selena Martinez 7 for Hoffman (1-7), which meets the winner of Conant and Lake Park in the tournament's next round, Saturday.
Rolling Meadows 61, Prairie Ridge 43: Sophomore Jackie Kemph (21 points), sophomore Alexis Glasgow (15), sophomore Jenny Vliet (14) and senior Anne Marie Lynch (8) led the Mustangs (8-3) in the opening-round game of the Mundelein tournament.
St. Viator 44, Nazareth Academy 39: Senior center Lauren Rooney collected 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists for St. Viator (5-4, 1-1) in the East Suburban Catholic win. Erin Fabbri (8 rebounds, 3 assists) added 8 points followed by Mallory Hess (5 rebounds, 2 assists) and Mary Cleary (4 rebounds) with 7 apiece. Teammate Morgan Hess also had a pair of assists.
"We gave a very good effort on both ends of the floor and we put together a solid second half," said Lions coach Paul Bjerkness. "We got off to a good start and we had a great defensive effort for the third quarter (held Nazareth to 2 points). Wins on the road are always special."
Nazareth made a comeback at the start of the fourth quarter but the Lions hit some important free throws down the stretch.
Lake Park 38, Conant 32: Senior Natalie Kutrumanes (15 points) and Allie Bauch (8) led the Cougars (4-7) in their opening-round game of the Mundelein tournament.
New Trier 60, Buffalo Grove 48: Emily Cho (12 points), Bailey North (7) and Becca Appelt (7) were top scorers for Buffalo Grove (1-8) in the nonconference game in Winnetka.
Elk Grove 46, Addison Trail 20: Juniors Diamond Boyd (17 points) and Kelly Naughton (11 points, 1 3-pointer) were top scorers for the host Grenadiers (6-3) in the nonconference win.
Moline 52, Maine West 40: Sophomore Brittany Collins (12 points, 9 rebounds) and junior Alexia Prosperi (10 points) led Maine West (3-8) in the nonconference game in Moline.
Bridget Burger added 8 points and 3 assists for West while Amanda Hoye chipped in 6 points and 4 assists.