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Libertyville gets its shot at Mundelein title

Last season the Libertyville Wildcats were able to muster only a third-place finish at the Mundelein Lady Mustang Holiday Classic. This year, Libertyville and junior Savannah Trees had much loftier goals.

"We finished third here last year and all we wanted to do was get a shot at the title and now we have that chance," said Trees.

Libertyville will have its chance at the tournament title thanks in large part to Trees. The 5-foot-7 junior tossed in a career-best 22 points and ripped down 6 boards to lead the Wildcats to a 49-39 win over Rockford Auburn in the semifinal round at the Mundelein Lady Mustangs Holiday Classic.

There was one more thing that Trees and the Wildcats desired.

"We wanted a chance to play Cary-Grove, because they are the best and we want to see how we play against the best teams," Trees said.

The Wildcats will get their wish as they will face the unbeaten Trojans, a 61-47 winner over Prairie Ridge, Saturday at 8 p.m.

"You always want to see how you stack up against the better teams in your area and now we have a chance to see how we will match up with Cary-Grove," said Libertyville coach Kathie Swanson. "We wanted to get to the title game since we finished third and now we have our chance."

Libertyville (12-4) assumed control of the game early by ripping off the game's first 13 points. Trees and sophomore Alex Haley (15 points) paced the Wildcats attack to the fast start.

Auburn (11-2) did chip away and got as close as three points on more than one occasion, but each time the Lady Knights did, Trees always seemed to be in the right place to make the necessary plays.

"She has done everything we have asked of her and she is on the verge of taking that next step," Swanson said of Trees. "For her it is all about being assertive and you saw that out of her tonight."

The Cats built up a seemingly comfortable lead in the fourth quarter after a three-point-play from Haley and a short runner from Trees, before the Lady Knights made a frantic push at the end to get closer.

"I thought our defense stepped up there at the end and really made the difference," Trees said. "When we get our defense going like that, it makes things easier for us on offense."

Auburn was led in scoring by Tierny Austin with 15 points.

Cary-Grove 61, Prairie Ridge 47: Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert was in the giving mood to the members his girls basketball team Wednesday night at the Mundelein Lady Mustangs Holiday Classic. As each player came out of the locker room, Saffert handed them a small Christmas candy cane full of sweets.

It was rather fitting for Saffert to be handing out gifts after the Trojans gave their coach a nice gift in the semi-final contest with Prairie Ridge. Led by junior Claire Jakubicek's 21-point, 11-rebound effort, Cary-Grove remained unbeaten at 15-0 by dropping the Wolves 61-47.

"I figured after the girls gave me the gift of winning the game, that this was the least I could do," Saffert said. "Tonight was a total team effort for us and Claire really stepped up and played well."

Cary-Grove will face Libertyville, a 49-39 winner over Rockford Auburn, in the 8 p.m. tournament title game. Prairie Ridge will place for third place at 6:30 p.m. against Rockford Auburn.

The Trojans broke open a tight game in the third quarter thanks to 9 points from Jakubicek.

A run of 15 straight by Cary-Grove blew the game open and saw the lead move out to 49-26 late in the third quarter.

"We came out kind of slow in the first half," Jakubicek said. "Coach told us to get more aggressive and go to the basket and we did that much better in the second half."

Jakubicek scored 6 straight points for the Trojans then Liz Bart (10 points) drained a long 3-pointer to extend the run. After a timeout by Prairie Ridge (6-7), the run continued.

"The girls had to learn and keep learning that when you get a team down you have to keep them down," Saffert said. "We were so-so in the first half, but in the second half, particularly in the third quarter, I thought we picked it up and played our game."

Cary was also playing its third straight game without junior leading scorer Meg Straumann, who tore her ACL last Saturday.

"I think we are all adapting (to not having Meg)," Jakubicek said. "Everyone has to pick their game up."

Defensively, Cary-Grove was tough on the Wolves, forcing 27 turnovers. Prairie Ridge didn't go away quietly, as the Wolves cut into the Cary lead in the fourth quarter but could get no closer than the final tally.

Emily Bruksch led the Wolves with 17 points. Taylor Smerecky also was in double figures for Prairie Ridge with 12 points.

Christina Bear chipped in 13 points for C-G.

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