Collins, Maine West finishing strong

Brittany Collins had a week to remember.

The Maine West 6-foot sophomore center scored 111 points over five games and helped the Warriors to a pair of wins Saturday in the final day of the Sweet 16 girls basketball tourney at Lake Zurich High School.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a player score that many points in one week,” said Maine West Hall of Fame coach Derril Kipp, now in his 31st season, “Brittany is playing really well.”

After cruising past Maine East in a Central Suburban North game on Friday night, Maine West bounced back with wins over Johnsburg (46-40) and St. Charles North (53-37) on Saturday.

Collins scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Johnsburg.

Her sister Ashley, a 6-foot junior, added 9 points followed by Megan John (8) and Amanda Hoye (7). Alexia Prosperi had 6 rebounds and Ashley Collins 5.

Brittany Collins hit her first 11 shots (14 points in the first quarter) against St. Charles North and finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

Hoye added 11 points with 4 assists and 3 steals while Ashley Collins had 7 points and 8 rebounds.

Prosperi collected 4 rebounds, 4 assists and a blocked shot.

“It was nice day for us to get a couple of wins,” Kipp said. “I think we’re playing better than we did earlier in the season. So we’ve got to get ready for our big conference game Friday.”

It will be battle for first place in the Central Suburban North when the Warriors (9-15, 7-1) host Niles North (7-1).

Palatine 59, Lake Park 52 (OT): Trailing 38-31 heading into the final quarter, Palatine rallied to tie it in regulation and then outscored the host Lancers 10-3 in overtime.

Junior guard Nia Pappas led all scorers with 19 points, followed by McKenzie Wiedemann (15 points), Laura Schweikert (11) and Katelyn Mayor (10).

Wiedemann had 3 3-pointers, including one in the extra session. Pappas fired home 2 3-pointers fore the Pirates (14-10).

Zion-Benton 59, Elk Grove 44: Kelly Naughton (12 points, 3 steals), Melissa Solorio (12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists) and Diamond Boyd (10 points, 3 steals) were top scorers for Elk Grove (12-10) in the nonconference game in Zion.

Elk Grove led 23-17 at intermission and 33-29 after three quarters before Zion erupted for 30 points in the final period.

Boyd saw limited time because of foul trouble. She and freshman teammate Amber Lindfors (5 rebounds) fouled out,

“Amber played very well,” said Grens coach Ryan Kirkorsky. “Zion has a big freshman post and it was a good matchup between the two of them.”

Warren 49, Hoffman Estates 41: Hoffman led 25-23 at the break but visiting Warren rallied for the win in the nonconference match.

Hawks junior forward Becca Stoczynski, who scored 19 points the night before in a win over Schaumburg, had to leave the game in the second quarter after catching an elbow to the head.

Hawks coach Mike Nocella said she was matching up with Warren’s Jessica Prince, who scored 19 points.

Destinée Young led the Hawks (9-15) with 19 points while Sara Burns and Mary Pettit each chipped in 7 with a 3-pointer.

Hoffman Estates led 13-2 in the first quarter when Stoczynski was injured.

St. Viator 55, Bishop McNamara 45: St. Viator improved to 15-12 and 2-5 with the ESCC victory in Arlington Heights.

Senior Mallory Hess scored a career-high 19 points, converting 6-of-6 free throws in the final quarter.

Lauren Rooney chipped in 10 points followed by Erin Fabbri (8). Rooney also pulled down 13 rebounds and had 2 assists.

Mallory Hess, Jennie Horstmann and Katie Gavin each had 3-pointers for the winners.

“It was an intense and scrappy game for both teams,” said Lions coach Paul Bjerkness, whose team will host Joliet Catholic at 6 p.m. on Monday for senior night.

“We got a great effort from Jennie Horstmann (2 steals and a huge 3-pointer), Erin Fabbri (3 steals and 5 rebounds) and Morgan Hess (6 points, 3 assists, and 7 rebounds),” Bjerkness added.

In the final 2:30, the Lions got a big lift when Gavin (4 steals and 3 rebounds) hit a 12-footer from the baseline. She also hit a big 3 pointer in third quarter and closed out the scoring with 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

“I thought that we did a great job of sharing the ball and making the extra pass,” Bjerkness added. “The key to the game was that on the defensive end of a floor we forced Bishop Mac into a number of one-and-done possessions. The girls did a terrific job of rebounding.”

Christian Liberty nets fifth: For the second time this season, Christian Liberty sophomore guard Megan Sullivan hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer.

This time, in the fifth-place game of the inaugural eight-team Northeastern Athletic Conference tournament host by CLA, Sullivan drove the lane in the final two seconds and beat the buzzer with the winning basket for a 32-31 victory over Mooseheart.

Earlier this season, Sullivan hit the buzzer-beating shot to defeat Francis Parker (Nov. 18).

Also against Mooseheart, Carly Baric collected her second double-double of the day with 11 points and 14 rebounds. In an earlier 36-34 win over Harvest Christian, Baric had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Vivian Barclay (6 points) also altered Harvest Christian’s final potential game-winning shot.

Shelbi Hernandez and Jess Moriarty each chipped in 6 points for the Chargers (14-11).

Fenwick 79, Barrington 61: Mary Reilly scored 23 points (on 7 three-pointers), Meredith Boardman had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Jade Owens added 13 points and 10 assists for state power Fenwick (19-6).

The Friars were 13-27 from three-point land in the Sweet 16 game at Lake Zurich.

Brooke Gunderson led Barrington with 13 points, followed by K.D. Madden (12), Alexa Resch (12) and Angie Kirchoff (9).

Abby Taplett injured her thumb and missed most of the second half.

Fillies coach Babbi Barreiro was also without senior guard and floor leader Nicole Collins (concussion).

“We played hard and I thought we did a good job keeping our composure,” said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro. “It was very fast-paced game and I thought we had some kids really step up.

“I thought Brooke (Gunderson) played an excellent game and Alexa Resch (13 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist) had a lot of nice shots around the basket and got us a lot of rebounds. K.D. Madden (6 rebounds) made a lot of good buckets in the first half. ”

Katherine Sodeika came off the bench to help spark the Fillies.

“She gave us nice minutes,” Barreiro added. “Angie Kirchoff and Ashley Heine stepped up and helped bring the ball up the court. Obviously we miss Nicole (Collins) She has been our go-to for everything.”

But Barreiro still liked the competitiveness of her team.

“I thought the kids played hungry and aggressive,” she said. “Everyone left it all out on the floor and gave 110 percent. Our only downfall was that we gave up too many 3-pointers.”

Lincoln-Way East 57, Buffalo Grove 38: Caitlin McMahon had 16 points and Taylor Johnson added 15 for LWE (19-3). Courtney Meyer scored 8 points for Buffalo Grove (4-21).