Fremd 41, Barrington 23

On Tuesday evening at Barrington, the Fremd girls basketball team had two first-time experiences of its 2007-08 season.

For the first time this year, Fremd trailed for nearly three quarters, forcing the Vikings to engineer a comeback -- something they had not been required to do.

Despite being held to 7 first-half points, the Vikings employed a swarming second-half defensive effort plus timely scoring to earn a 41-32 victory over the Fillies in the Mid-Suburban West.

With the victory plus Schaumburg's win over Conant on Tuesday, the Vikings pulled into a three-way tie for the MSL West lead.

"We're trying to take one game at a time, but (leading the division) is definitely exciting," said Vikings senior point guard Taylor Glassman.

Fremd (14-9, 7-2) can claim at least a share of the West title when it hosts Conant (20-5, 7-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Glassman, who led all scorers with 15 points, took control several times down the stretch as she effectively drove the lane to score several self-created points.

"(Trailing) was not a situation we had been in much this year," Fremd coach Dave Yates said. "I think this will be something we can look back on and say to ourselves, remember when we did this."

Fueled by an energetic senior night crowd as well as the effective inside play of sophomore Emily Harris (12 points, 3 rebounds), the Fillies (5-23, 2-7) jumped out to a 10-point halftime lead and were eyeing an upset.

But Fremd spoiled the Fillies' festivities.

"There was a lot of energy from senior night in the first half, but we wanted to come out in the second half and create energy for Fremd," Glassman said.

The Vikings shifted the momentum drastically in the third quarter, outscoring the Fillies 18-6.

The outstanding bench play of senior Tracy Nachtsheim (10 points) helped power Fremd's comeback as she connected on a pair of pivotal 3-point baskets late in the third.

"We had kids come off our bench and spark us which was huge," Yates said.

"I was just praying (when I shot the ball) because my shots haven't been dropping lately," Nachtsheim said.

In the final minutes, Fremd was able to hold off Barrington with precise passing and ball control from Glassman and junior guard Sam Thelin (11 points, 4 rebounds).

While the win may not have been accomplished in picture-perfect fashion, the Vikings have no issues with winning whatever way it takes.

"Better to win ugly than to lose ugly," Glassman said.

Prospect 32, Rolling Meadows 21: Senior Megan Murray scored 11 points to lead Prospect (15-9, 6-3) to a 32-21 triumph at Meadows (6-18, 0-9), which was led by Maddie Urban and Shannon McGuire (7 points each).

Hoffman Estates 46, Palatine 39: Junior Megan Fischer scored a game-high 25 points, while Colleen Roberts added 7 for host Hoffman Estates (18-7, 3-6) in a 46-39 win over Palatine.

Palatine (8-19, 1-8) was led by Katie MacFabe (12 points and Kristina Lane (8).