Williams, Hoffman Estates get it done on all fronts

Hoffman Estates guard Tayler Williams said it was all about the "D" Friday night at Palatine.

"We had to stop them from driving to the hoop," said Williams, "and close out on their shooters. We were able to play great help defense, move our feet and call out the screens."

The Hawks did play great defense against the host Pirates, but the offense - especially from Williams - was equally good, if not better.

Williams poured in 18 points and teammate Monraia Wilson added 16 as Hoffman ran past Palatine 54-45 in the Mid-Suburban West.

Guard Erin Hanson pitched in with 10 points for the Hawks, who used an 8-1 run to start the second quarter to take control of the game.

"We were finally able to use our height tonight," added Hoffman Estates forward Katelyn Mongold. "We got more touches inside than we usually do."

The first quarter was a nip and tuck, free-wheeling affair as both teams were able to run out for some fastbreak points, and also launch some long range 3's - including four of them from Palatine.

Pirates freshman guard Elena Porrata had two 3s in the first eight minutes, while teammates Reggie Much and Geena Eliades each hit 1.

Palatine trailed only 17-16 to start the second quarter, but a quick steal and coast-to-coast layup by Wilson led a Hoffman Estates run and saw the Hawks take an 8-point lead.

"We came out and were able to hit some early shots," said Pirates senior Michala Leber, "but we struggled after that. Then they (Hoffman) started to click, they were hitting their shots and we were missing ours."

"Palatine was hot to start the game," agreed Hawks coach Mike Koester. "They obviously had an answer for the game plan we put in, but we adjusted and I though the kids did an excellent job."

Hoffman Estates (5-6, 1-2) kept the pressure on in the second half, but a tremendous effort from 5-10 Palatine sophomore Syd Rzepka kept the Pirates in the game.

Rzepka scored a team-high 16 points, all of them coming in the second half - including 9 points in the third quarter, when the sophomore was 7 of 8 from the free throw line.

"We were looking to get the ball inside the entire game," said Rzepka. "We finally were able to do it in the second half.

"They (Hoffman) just went on a run and we couldn't catch up. It was back and forth for awhile but then they got up by 10, and no matter how we tried we couldn't get a stop when we needed it."

Palatine was able to close the gap to 7 midway through the fourth quarter thanks to a couple of buckets from Ashley Shapiro.

The Pirates had a chance to cut the gap even further late, but a couple of 3-point attempts rimmed out.

A tough rebound inside, then a layup by Williams stopped the Palatine rally. And Williams and Wilson closed the game out with some clutch free throws.

"We try to focus on rebounding," said Koester. "We're a smaller team, so when we rebound well we usually play well.

"I was most impressed with the way our kids played at the end of the game. They played smart, ran some clock and took good shots."

Jennifer Nailor added 5 points to the Hoffman cause, while Porrata, Much and Shapiro scored 8 apiece for Palatine.

Rzepka added that despite the defeat she felt her team played well.

"Now we've just got learn from our mistakes," said Rzepka, "and get back at it."