Barrington works out problems against Stevenson

After a disheartening loss to Palatine on Friday, the Barrington girls basketball team had an early wakeup call Saturday.

The Fillies practiced from 7:30 to 9 and then traveled to DuPage County to play Stevenson at noon at Montini in the Suburban Holiday Showcase.

"We weren't happy, but we knew we needed to work some things out," senior Samantha Beach said.

Beach, listed as a forward/guard, also found out she was being moved to point guard.

The last time she played the position?

"Back in middle school," she said. "I was nervous but excited because I'm still trying to find my role. It allows me to be more of a leader."

Beach responded to the position change in style, as did the Fillies to the morning practice. Barrington limited Stevenson to a total of 12 points in the second and third quarters on its way to a 45-39 victory.

"I think moving Sam to point guard was a direction we needed to go," Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro said. "We have confidence in her."

Barreiro also is rapidly gaining confidence in Shelby Whigham. The freshman forward tied her season-high with 14 points.

"She's got a great first step and can do some nice things offensively," Barreiro said.

Barrington's ability to generate second-chance points was a key difference deep in the fourth quarter. With the Fillies leading 35-28, sophomore center Emily Harris converted an offensive rebound into a basket on consecutive trips down the floor.

"We emphasized offensive rebounding; we (played) with a lot of energy," Harris said.

Down 42-32, a pair of baskets from junior Courtney Graber cut the Patriots' deficit to six points. Stevenson's full-court press was effective at times in turning Barrington over.

"Our defensive pressure was much better on the perimeter," Stevenson coach Trish Betthauser said. "We had some lapses mentally and we didn't finish (inside with) rebounds."

Even though she fouled out in the fourth quarter, Patriots senior forward Caitlin Morrissey still managed a team-high 15 points.

"She showed some good fight," Betthauser said.

Barreiro hopes this is a turning point for the Fillies.

"Nobody was worried about who scored the points," she said. "We played very team-oriented basketball."

Barrington and Stevenson now have matching 4-12 records. Each squad rely heavily on promising freshmen and sophomores.

(Both) teams are young," Barreiro said. "It's exciting for girls basketball to have that kind of talent coming up through the ranks."