Fremd savors win over Liston-less Fenwick

Fremd's girls basketball team got a big pick-me-up victory Saturday afternoon in the Sweet Sixteen tournament.

Literally.

Standout forward Gianna Abruzzo was so excited after her Vikings upset previously undefeated and state power Fenwick, 58-50, she lifted up her longtime teammate Taylor Glassmann in the locker room after the game to celebrate.

Although there was an asterisk - Fenwick star Tricia Liston did not play because of an illness - it was still an impressive victory over a major program in Illinois girls basketball history.

The Duke-bound Liston, who scored 41 points against Wheeling three weeks ago in the championship game of the Niles North tourney, sat in the stands Saturday.

Friars coach Dave Power dids not know if his 6-foot do-it-all senior would be ready for the Dundee-Crown tourney, which starts Saturday.

"Oh my gosh, you have no idea how excited we are right now," said Abruzzo, after Fremd improved to 9-3 over the 12-1 Friars. "I picked up Taylor in the locker room.

"Honestly, we didn't talk much about defending her (Liston). Whether she played or not, we thought we could still give them a game. Obviously she's a great player and that made things more difficult for Fenwick without her."

The Vikings got off a great start and never looked back.

They led 22-13 after one quarter, during which Glassmann and freshman Ashley McConnell both had 3-pointers.

Glassmann (three 3-pointers) and Abruzzo each scored 15 points while junior Bridget Kubis chipped in 9 and McConnell 8.

"I have goose bumps," Glassmann said in the postgame celebration. "This is incredible. A perfect team effort."

Kubis had 4 assists and McConnell 3. Junior Megan Gray pulled down 4 rebounds.

"Even without Liston, Fenwick is a solid team," said Glassmann, who also had 3 rebounds and 2 assists. "They have great players and coach Power is an incredible coach."

Power, a Hall of Famer with state titles at Fenwick and Immaculate Heart of Mary, watched his team fall behind by as many as 12 points in the final quarter.

"After playing so many games with Tricia, I thought there would be an adjustment period," he said "I'm disappointed with the loss but this is a chance to see other girls step up.

"It's a position for us to find ourselves. It's some challenges heading into the Dundee-Crown tournament. We'll see who steps up."

McConnell stepped up with a big 3-point play with 2:17 left in the game, giving Fremd a 55-42 lead before the Friars finished with an 8-3 run.

"Late in the game we started playing Fenwick basketball," Power said. "But it was much too late."

Fremd gained momentum at the end of the second quarter when Glassmann hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 29-15 lead at the break.

"I'm speechless," added Abruzzo, who pulled down 8 rebounds with 3 assists and 2 steals. "This is our most complete game all season. We really showed what we are capable of doing by beating a program like Fenwick."

"We get along so well as a team off the court," said Glassmann, who joined her teammates at a local restaurant for a team breakfast Saturday morning. "And it transfers to how we play on the court."

Vikings coach Dave Yates felt the key was the Vikings' fast start.

"Any time you play Fenwick you've got to get over the nerves," he said. " I was pleased how we came out and went right after it. Whenever Fenwick made a run, we had an answer for it."

Then next question?

Will the two teams meet again in less than 10 days.?

It could happen if both win their opening games in the Dundee -Crown tourney.

"I'm pleased the girls realize they can guard anyone," Yates said. "We've been holding teams in the 30s in our conference. To play good defense against a team like Fenwick, with as many good shooters and players it has, shows we can do it against anyone."