Cook girls basketball notes: Schaumburg reaches 20 wins for 1st time in 16 years; Fremd’s Todd joins 1,000 club
With its win over Hoffman Estates last Friday night, Schaumburg girls basketball team became the program's first team to win 20 games since the 2008 season under coach Bill Murmann.
Now in her eighth season, head coach Jacqie Strauch watched her Saxons get to 20-4 with a 78-21 win which moved senior Madi Dolecki to within 23 points of reaching 1,000 career points.
Dolecki is Schaumburg's scoring leader at 14.3 points per game followed by Symone Harrell (10.9), Jadaya Branch (8.5) and Grace Schluckbier (7.9).
Rebounding leaders are Harrell (5.6), Dolecki (5.4) and Schluckbier (4.6).
Strauch said she is getting great minutes from her first player off the bench, Elliana Malley, who is shooting better than 40 percent from the 3-point line.
Emma Jevtic has stepped into the starting lineup after Audrey Schluckbier’s ACL tear.
"Emma's been doing a great job on both ends of the floor,' Strauch said.
Big night at Fremd: Not only were the upperclassmen honored last Friday on Senior Night at Fremd, one Viking junior also received recognition.
Utah pledge Ella Todd, a three-year starter for coach Dave Yates, scored the 1,000th point of her standout career in a 79-52 triumph over Conant.
Fighting injuries: Palatine coach Sarah Davis said the loss of seniors Lexi Sabado and Lindsay Plourde, both to ACL tears, has been devastating.
"Though their injuries have ended their season, they are still our captains and have led our team through some adversity," she said "However, the girls have rallied together and (juniors) Jas Evans and Halle Onyekonwu have been playing major minutes for us. They've stepped into starting roles in their absences."
The 6-foot-3 Onyekonwu had one of her best games last Friday, scoring a game-high 18 points in a 47-45 loss to Barrington
Davis said senior Frankie Henderson (7 ppg), junior Molly Pieper (12 ppg) and junior Elise Martino have been playing major minutes all season.
"Molly Pieper consistently scores double digits with breakout games over our Christmas tournament (at Wheaton North) against West Aurora, Hinsdale Central and Glenbard South,“ Davis added. "Frankie has been the floor general for us this season and continues to put her teammates in positions to be successful. The girls really play together and understand the 'we' over 'me' mentality.
Milestone win: When Rolling Meadows (18-6, 6-1) defeated Wheeling 59-28 last Friday, it marked the 300th career win in 16 years for coach Ryan Kirkorsky, including a four-year stint at Elk Grove.
Now in his 12th season at Meadows, Kirkorsky is 239-103 with a pair of class AA state runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2014 and four regional crowns.
This year's Mustangs are 18-6 and challenging for the East crown with a 6-1 record.
Senior and Loyola bound Roisin Grandberry was recently named a 2024 Mcdonald's All American Game nominee and she was the Mustangs Player of the Game at the Kipp Hoopfest last week.
"Much of our success this season comes from our reserves: seniors Julia Ingemunson, Anna Kast, Ella Truhlar, junior Claire Cox; sophomore Abby Ramel and freshmen Iris Jordan and Nell Osterhues," Kirkorsky said. "This group has provided valuable minutes in games and have really made our practices competitive. The talent on our roster has made us more prepared for games, and our reserves deserve much of that credit.
More O'Riordan memories: Barrington senior Molly O'Riordan already had unforgettable moments in her prep career.
The Bradley basketball recruit has the rare opportunity to play in the state finals in two sports. She was on the floor for the Fillies' third-place volleyball team last fall and as a sophomore played on the Fillies’ state runner-up in basketball.
Last Friday, she delivered the buzzer-beating game-winning bank shot for a 47-45 win at Palatine.
O'Riordan is leading a rather young team (14-8, 5-2) for hall of fame coach Babbi Barreiro.
"They're young but working hard," Barreiro said. "It's a great group."
Sizzling Splinter: Prospect senior Skylar Splinter has averaged 12.8 points while shooting 70 percent from the free-throw line, and 44 percent from 3-point range. She also had 12 steals.
During that span, she had 19 points vs. St. Charles North and 16 points vs Geneva (named player of the game at the Kipp Hoopsfest).
"She is playing at a very high level right now," said Prospect coach Matt Weber of one of the team’s captains.
On the improve: Buffalo Grove recently enjoyed its best stretch of the season, winning three of five games against South Elgin, Wheeling and Vernon Hills.
Senior Hanna Glanz is back on the floor after suffering an injury against DeKalb on Dec. 11.
"She has helped lead the way, scoring 19 points vs. Wheeling, 15 vs. Hersey and 10 against Vernon Hills," said Bison coach Martha Kelly.
Sophomore Hannah Weber posted a career-high 13 points against Vernon Hills and senior Fiona McNamee had her career-best 14 points vs Wheeling.
Challenging in the North: With its 42-37 win at Maine East last Friday, Maine West raised its record to 5-2 in the Central Suburban North.
"We are hoping to make a run in the rest of our conference play heading into the playoffs," said Warriors coach Deanna Kuzmanic.
Senior captain Amelie Mach is averaging 10.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.8 steals.
Freshman dandy: Maine East freshman Arabella Silva surpassed the 400-point mark after the Blue Demons' first 21 games.
Senior standout Mariah Scott recently joined the team (11-11, 2-6) after missing seven games and helped coach Lance Newman's club to wins over Niles North and Wheeling. In a 42-37 loss to Maine West last Friday, Scott led the Blue Demons with 13 points and 7 rebounds.
The Blue Demons took second place in last month’s Elmwood Park tournament.
Wildcats' leader: Wheeling senior guard Marlena Miloucheva is averaging 18.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.2 steals.
"We are hoping to gain another win or two before we head into playoffs," said first-year Wheeling coach Kellie Brasse, a former standout Wildcats herself.