Grayslake North overcomes numbers challenge, Prairie Ridge
With only seven players available for its third-place game at Mundelein, Grayslake North's girls basketball team probably didn't mind Prairie Ridge intentionally milking the clock for nearly half the fourth quarter.
The strategy eventually resulted in a basket for Prairie Ridge, but Grayslake North prevailed 38-36.
The Knights (9-5, 3-1 tourney) were short players due to holiday commitments.
With the score tied 34-34 early in the fourth quarter, Prairie Ridge held the ball between the circles - trying to pull the Knights out of their zone defense - for nearly four minutes. After a Prairie Ridge timeout, the Wolves got a layup from center Sam Lockwood (team-high 13 points), but Kelley O'Brien answered with a three-point play for Grayslake North.
A free throw by Sidney Lovitsch with 30.6 seconds left provided the final margin. Lovitsch, who was named to the all-tournament team along with teammate Brandi Thibeaux, led Grayslake North with 12 points. O'Brien finished with 11 (two 3-pointers). Thibeaux, Jordan Queen and Lily Swanson each added 4 points, and freshman Savannah Gunther knocked down a 3-pointer.
Prairie Ridge, which had just nine players, was represented by Alyssa Clark (9 points) on the all-tourney team.
Lake Zurich 48, Rockford Auburn 31: At Mundelein, Abby Pirron scored a game-high 15 points for the Bears in their finale.
McKenna Zobel and all-tournament selection Grace Kinsey added 11 and 9 points, respectively, for Lake Zurich (8-7, 3-1).
Osjuanique Barmore-Gulley led Auburn with 9 points. Niaja Taylor (6 points) represented the Knights on the all-tourney team.
Lake Park 42, Grant 38: At Mundelein, the Bulldogs rallied but fell short, ending the tournament with their third loss in a row.
Grant (9-5, 1-3) trailed 14-8 after one quarter, 25-16 at halftime and 28-24 after three. But Taylor Drake's layup capped a 12-7 run and gave the Bulldogs a 36-35 advantage with 1:25 left. A drive by Camryn James gave the lead back to Lake Park. Jennifer Warfield then hit both ends of a 1-and-1 to give the Lancers a 39-36 edge.
Warfield hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final 54 seconds and finished with a team-high 15 points. The senior forward represented Lake Park on the all-tournament team. Katherine Kirkham added 11 points for the Lancers.
All-tourney selection Jasmine Sangster scored 7 of her game-high 19 points in the fourth for Grant. Her shot from across the half-court line beat the final buzzer but banked off the backboard and missed the net
Drake came off the bench to score 9 points.
Hoffman Estates 63, Mundelein 60 (OT): At Mundelein, the Mustangs were outscored 10-7 in overtime.
Amy Richards and Kendall Wald led Mundelein (4-12, 1-3) with 20 and 17 points, respectively. Caity Pieklo had nine and Madison Davis chipped in eight for the Mustangs. Richards was named to the all-tournament team.