Girls basketball: Prospect adds more hardware with regional win over Conant
This winter is bringing to the girls basketball program at Prospect the opportunity to have its most successful trophy haul ever.
Matt Weber's squad has already captured its first pair of Mid-Suburban honors in taking both the MSL West Division and conference championships.
On Thursday they added a third title when they cruised past Conant 60-28 at the Class 4A Hoffman Estates regional final to nab their second straight square-size trophy and 11th in program history.
It also included a ticket to Tuesday's first Schaumburg sectional semifinal as the top seeded Knights (21-10) will face an archrival Rolling Meadows team that it has beaten twice in West play this season.
The No. 5 Mustangs (19-10) upset No. 4 seed Lake Zurich (21-11) 45-34 to take the South Elgin regional final Thursday evening.
The win for Prospect came courtesy of a blazing 18-0 tear to start the game in which 6-foot-1 senior forward Alli Linke tallied 10 of her game-high 23 points.
No. 8 seed Conant (13-14) would respond by going on 14-6 run that pulled them within 24-14 thanks to a three-pointer from junior guard Madyson Biedke with 5:02 left until halftime.
The Knights would provide a strong counter-offensive by finishing the second with a 12-2 surge that gave them a comfortable 36-16 advantage at the break.
"We knew we had to start the game with a lot of energy," Weber said.
"At this time of the year, it's really about how you start the game and set the tone. Our defense led to a lot of transition (baskets) on offense. They did a good job of sharing the ball, finding the open teammate and just working really hard."
Linke, who added 9 rebounds, credited her squadmates for approaching the postseason with a sense of urgency.
"Every game we're playing for one more day of practice together. Just knowing that every time we step on the floor could be our last time together (has) definitely been a motivation that's been driving our team."
Freshman forward Ashley Skelton added 18 points and 6 rebounds while junior guard Zoe Black chipped in 8 points for the Knights.
Senior forward Lyla Clifton (7 points) along with fellow senior teammate Gianna Fresso (6 points) led MSL East runner-up Conant in the scoring column in their final appearance.
Cougars coach Todd Strauch praised both of them along with fellow seniors Kate Jenrick, Bridget Gibson, and Kiana Leopoldo for their effort and leadership.
"Our seniors set a great tone. They've improved every single year and I'm proud of that and proud of them. The result wasn't there today, but the things we're doing are."