Make that eight straight for Fremd
Shoppers were all over the hallways of Fremd High School on Saturday for the annual craft show.
Inside the school’s gymnasium was the Fremd girls basketball team applying its craft — and winning.
For the eighth time in as many games, the Vikings came way with a victory.
Led by freshman Haley Gorecki (16 points), sophomore Ashley McConnell (13) and senior Jessi Wiedemann (13), the defending Mid-Suburban League champs rolled to an 82-35 triumph over visiting Jacobs (1-10).
The Vikes (8-0) led 18-13 after one quarter but went on a 27-2 run to put the game away in the second period.
Highlighting the explosive eight-minunte stretch were 9 points by McConnell and 7 from Gorecki.
Wiedemann scored 8 of her points in the first quarter.
Many of the Vikes spent the morning in the classroom taking the ACT exam.
“We kind of needed that first quarter to shake things off after a (1-point win at Palatine on Friday night and testing in the morning),” said Fremd coach Dave Yates. “With many of the girls in a testing environment in the morning, we just needed a little time on the court to get going.
“When the first couple of players get going, everyone seems to catch fire.”
A driving 10-footer by McConnell and running 8-footer by Marilyn Lortz (6 points) got things rolling for Fremd in the second quarter.
The hosts led 46-18 at half after Jacobs senior Maggie Hansen hit a 3-pointer at the second-quarter buzzer.
“We came out very strong in the second quarter,” said the Valparaiso-bound Wiedemann. “We knew it was time to step up.
“It was a good game to able to play after our tough one with Palatine, and especially good because we were able to get a lot of players into the game.”
Junior guard Sydney Sek came off the bench to score a career-high 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
“It felt good to get out there and try to prove myself,” said the 5-foot-9 Sek. “We’ve got a lot of talent. It’s really competitive which makes everyone work harder.
“When I get out there I feel like I have to play defense. That’s the real important thing for our team.”
Senior Sarah Macius added 9 points for Fremd while Bernie Williams and Catherine Ernst each had 5.
“All our kids work hard so hard so this was a good opportunity for them to get in and show what they can do,” Yates said.
Five different Vikes connected for 3-pointers — 3 from Wiedemann, 2 from Gorecki and Sek, and one apiece from Megan Daniello and McConnell.
Senior Amy Becker scored all 7 of her team-high 7 points in the first quarter for Jacobs. Lauren Grady and Nailah Byrd each chipped in 6 for the Golden Eagles.