Cary-Grove pulls out a close one against Vernon Hills

There is plenty of history between these two clubs - yes, both Cary-Grove and Vernon Hills have played in big games before.

Saturday's latest offering between these two former powers wasn't exactly a game of beauty, but both teams played hard and it went down to the wire in the consolation game of the Mundelein Holiday Tournament.

Both teams had leads in the fourth quarter. Cary-Grove (4-12) won its third game in a row - and just barely, as the Trojans prevailed 43-42.

Both teams' rosters contained a collection of young players. The Cougars (9-8) have three freshmen, and they all saw action on Saturday. Cary-Grove has five sophomores and one of them, Maddie Gorz, was the team's lone selection to the all-tournament team.

The Trojans took a 25-20 lead to halftime.

VH's all-tournament selection was Becky Bahlmann, and her driving layup knotted this game up at 34-34 early in the final quarter.

"I could tell in warm-ups that we weren't ready to play,'' Bahlmann said. "We were frazzled early. But we made a nice comeback."

Bahlmann noted this Mundelein Tournament was a hit with her team.

"This is so fun,'' she said. "It's during Christmas and we get a lot of friends and family to see us play."

Vernon Hills opened up a 37-34 lead following a 3-pointer from Katie Burrows. This junior had 6 of her 8 points in the fourth quarter.

Gorz (11 points) and Cary-Grove captain Katie Sowa (10 points) had back-to-back baskets to get the lead back for Cary-Grove.

"We always have a close game when we play Vernon Hills,'' said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. "Vernon Hills has a good coach and great kids."

Vernon Hills coach Paul Brettner knew he had been in a battle when this one closed.

"It was chaotic,'' Brettner said. "But give credit to Cary-Grove's defense. It was a turnover game."

Vernon Hills defensive whiz Dakiya Daniels contributed some excellent athletic plays down the stretch. Her steals led to free throws, including one which tied the game at 41-41. Cary-Grove's Becca Kendeigh checked in with two clutch free throws with a half minute to play. She finished with 9 points.

Cary-Grove missed its first 6 shots to open the game. Gorz finally landed one from 3-point range, and the Trojans were back in the game at 4-3. Vernon Hills led 18-17 before five turnovers and five missed shots led to the Trojans taking a 7-point lead late in the first half.

Vernon Hills senior Dana Meline (12 points) helped bring her team back in the game with two fastbreak baskets. Her final points came at the free throw line and those shots knotted this game up at 32-32.