Lake Zurich's win helps Libertyville clinch Lake
When Katherine Anderson's shot went through the net on Tuesday night, there were a couple of celebrations around Lake County.
First, the Lake Zurich senior had finally stopped an eight-game losing streak to Stevenson.
Secondly, there was a shout in Libertyville as Lake Zurich's win over the Patriots handed the Wildcats an NSC Lake Division championship.
There was no celebration in Lincolnshire. Stevenson played toe-to-toe with the surging Bears but Anderson's buzzer-beating shot gave Lake Zurich a 44-42 win. Stevenson and Lake Zurich could meet again in a regional title game in February but would have a tough time repeating this terrific and suspensful contest.
Lake Zurich (18-9, 7-4) opted to play keepaway in the final two minutes and had a shot to win the game but a missed a shot gave the ball back to the Pats (19-7, 8-3). A missed free throw by Stevenson gave the ball back to Lake Zurich.
The Bears drew up a play with 1.6 seconds left in regulation.
Anderson (7 points) let it fly and the Bears had knocked Stevenson out of first place in the league.
“It was just catch and shoot,” Anderson said. “I know we hadn't beaten Stevenson in a long time so we had nothing to lose.”
Stevenson did get some powerful play inside from Julia Dabrowski (10 points and 10 rebounds) and Alex Elzinga (11 points).
“I thought we played our hearts out,” Elzinga said. “Everybody had a great game. I haven't personally lost to Lake Zurich but there is a first for everything.”
While Stevenson lived inside, the Bears bombed away outside. Dori Darras (10 points) had Lake Zurich's first 3-pointer of the evening. Stephanie Schmid came of the bench and had 8 points in the final three minutes of the first half including a pair of 3-pointers.
“What a good high school game,'' said Lake Zurich coach Chris Bennett. “There weren't many mistakes. It was one of those NSC and Packers-Bears games.”
Stevenson forged seven ties with the visitors. The first one came in the first quarter when Katie Batman (6 points) buried a 15-footer. The final tie came when Olivia Whalen (10 points) made a layup to knot this game up 42-42.
“Everyone will remember that last possession,'' said Stevenson coach Tom Dineen. “We still had a foul to give on that last play. She (Anderson) was wide open and that was disappointing. I feel horrible for these kids. They didn't win the Lakes Division. They've never won anything. I'm sick about it.”
Lake Zurich's biggest lead came when Anderson drilled a 10-footer late in the third quarter. The Bears led 34-30. Two free throws from Stevenson point guard Kari Moffat (5 points) made it a 2-point game heading to the final quarter.
If Stevenson and Lake Zurich meet again it will be in the regional title game on Lake Zurich's home floor. Stevenson is a No. 4 seed in the Palatine sectional. And Lake Zurich is a No. 5.
“Stevenson has a very simple take on the game,” Bennett said. “They also have three nice shooters who play outside.”
The Pats are hoping to have the services of freshman Taylor Buford in the regional. She injured her leg against Lake Forest on Friday.