Huskies heading in right direction

After an 0-5 start, Hersey's girls basketball team is back in stride.

Just as it was in the first quarter Tuesday night against Rolling Meadows.

The Huskies raced to an 18-4 lead and never looked back while posting a 53-36 victory at Rolling Meadows as the two teams opened their Mid-Suburban East campaigns.

Hersey senior Sarah Stoltzner scored 9 of her game-high 16 points during the initial blitz, including a 3-pointer, as the Huskies (3-5, 1-0) won their third straight contest.

"We're on a roll," said Stoltzner, who took two rough tumbles to the floor while trying to grab rebounds. "We're shooting well. Our ballhandling is better. We're just getting better every game."

Hersey coach Mary Fendley appreciated the way Stoltzner bounced back from hard falls to the ground.

"I told her if she didn't jump so high, it wouldn't hurt so much when she falls," said Fendley with a smile. "She is just so tough."

Hersey's Rogowski sisters also reached double figures. Sophomore Kelly had 12 and freshman Megan 10.

"Any time you have three girls in double figures, that's a good sign for your offense," said Fendley, who was back at her alma mater where she starred in the mid-1980s. "With Sarah, Megan and Kelly, they're all talented players. When any of them are on, they are tough to stop."

Fendley played all 14 girls on her roster, also receiving points from Amanda Slove (5), Emma Kuhns (7) and Julia Fredin (3-pointer).

"It was nice to get everyone in," Fendley added. "Whether they play or not, all the kids practice very hard so it's nice when they can get into the game."

Meadows (2-5, 0-1) received 11 points and 5 rebounds from junior Taylor Fritz.

The Mustangs climbed back to within single digits thanks to a 6-0 run to start the second quarter.

Senior Kirsten Vliet had 2 of the buckets while Fritz hit the other.

"We didn't really execute the things we hoped to do in the first quarter," said Mustangs coach Patrick O'Connell. "We did a better job with adjustments in the second quarter. They hit some 3-pointers in the second half, so give them credit. They did a nice job."

Fritz, Liezl Aluquin and Shannon McGuire each had 2 assists for the Mustangs.

Kuhns and Megan Rogowski pulled down 5 rebounds for Hersey while Kelly Rogowski had 4 steals and Megan Rogowski handed out 3 assists.

"We dug ourselves into a hole (at 0-5) so now we can only play them one game at time," Fendley said. "We're trying to dig out of it.

"We just weren't playing well (first part of season). Now the kids have a better understanding of their roles. That is the reason for our three-game run."