Fenwick tops improving Maine West

Maine West's girls basketball team lost it second game in three days in the Sweet 16 tournament on Thursday night.

But coach Derril Kipp said they were two of the Warriors' best efforts of the season.

After going down to the wire in a 50-45 loss at Lake Zurich on Tuesday, the Warriors fell 71-55 to state power Fenwick on Thursday in Des Plaines.

Meredith Boardman had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Jade Owens added 16 points and 6 assists for Fenwick (18-5). Teammate Maya Garland chipped in 16 points and 4 steals.

Maine West sophomore forward Brittany Collins was superb, scoring 26 points and collecting 18 rebounds.

Warriors senior guard Amanda Hoye added 16 points with 8 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

With 4:38 left in the game, Maine West (8-15) was within 8 points.

"We played very well," Kipp said. "These last two games were two of our better ones all season. It's good to be playing well at this time of the season. Hopefully it continues."

The 6-foot-1 Collins was coming off a 23-point, 14-rebound effort against Lake Zurich.

"Brittany has been playing outstanding basketball," Kipp said. "She never came out of the game. She could have scored more points if she wasn't as tired as she was. It was really a fast-paced game."

Hoye got the offense rolling with her passing which set up 8 baskets.

"Amanda is starting to distribute the ball a lot better," Kipp said. "She played real well."

Warriors junior Alexia Prosperi grabbed 5 rebounds and had 3 assists while Ashley Collins pulled down 3 rebounds.

"I was happy with how the kids played," Kipp said. "We played with more intensity and harder. Fenwick is a very good team.

"We just gave up too many layups in their half-court offense and that was the difference. Their 3-pointers (5) didn't hurt us that much. It was mostly their driving layups."

Marist 62, Buffalo Grove 37: Junior Bailey North (10 points), sophomore Kim Herzog (9) and sophomore Courtney Meyer (8) were top scorers for the Bison (4-19) in the Sweet 16 tourney game played in Chicago.

Herzog connected for 3 3-pointers while Meyer tossed home a pair.

Leah Bolton had 19 points and JeTaun Rouse added 13 for Marist (23-1).