True to form, Gorecki and Fremd roll
Prior to Friday’s Mid-Suburban West girls basketball game, Fremd junior standout Haley Gorecki was recognized for scoring her 1,000th point against Montini in the quarterfinals of the Montini Christmas Tournament.
Gorecki then went out and added to that total with a game-high 18 points as the Vikings retained their grip on first place in the Mid-Suburban West with a 52-22 triumph over visiting Palatine.
“Haley is an amazing player,” said Fremd coach Dave Yates “This (1,000 points) is one of many accomplishments coming her way in the next few years. I am very fortunate to be able to coach a player with Haley’s talent.
“Beyond the basketball accolades, she is a great kid and a great leader of this team.”
The Vikings were up 31-10 at half and 46-13 after three quarters as Yates was able to pull his starters before the third quarter ended.
“We talked about taking control of the game early in both halves,” Yates said. “And I think we did that tonight.”
Erica Simios led Fremd (16-2, 5-0) with 6 rebounds followed by Gorecki (5) and Bryana Hopkins (4).
Brianna Lewis collected 4 steals and 4 assists while Grace Tworek had 3 steals.
Hopkins also had a pair of steals and assists.
Palatine (6-13, 0-5) led by senior Kirsten Allen’s 6 points.
“I think our size really bothered them,” Yates added. “ We were very active on defense and when we don’t foul, I think we are very difficult to score over. I thought our kids did a great job attacking their box and one defense.
“We have seen that a ton this year which is not a surprise. Our other kids can score the basketball and are getting better at attacking junk defenses every game.”
Prospect 53, Wheeling 52 (OT): Junior Taylor Will (four 3-pointers) scored a team-high 20 points and Catherine Sherwood added 15 as Prospect (16-3, 3-2) earned the win in overtime at its own Jean Walker Field House.
Seniors Mallory Gonzalez chipped in 10 points and Marissa Pacini 6 for the Knights, who play Wheaton Warrenville South at 6 p.m. today in the McDonald’s Shootout at Willowbrook High School.
Gonzalez, who hit three 3-pointers, had a big basket to tie the game in regulation after the Knights had trailed by as many as 8 points.
“We were attacking hard at end of regulation and in overtime,” said Knights coach Ashley Graham. “We were down 8 but dug ourselves out of the hole. We’ve come to understand that we are going to get every team’s best shot.”
Junior Deanna Kuzmanic led Wheeling (9-11, 2-3) with a game-high 23 points while classmates Lani Greenberg and Hannah Dobrowski each added 9 for the visiting Wildcats.
“Wheeling played an excellent game,” Graham said. “Deanna Kuzmanic carried them. Lani Greenberg made some nice moves inside and Hannah Dobrowski hit some big 3s. It’s a tribute to Wheeling. They played real physical and great team defense.”
The Knights were 16-of-30 at the line.
“We did some uncharacteristic things on offense and obviously our free throw percentage was not good. That’s been our Achilles’ heel all season. It’s inexcusable and we must work on it.”
Schaumburg 55, Hoffman Estates 33: Lillian Chavarria (16 points),Tatiana Doroskin (12 points), Mallory Gerber (12) and Brittany Reinhart (9) led visiting Schaumburg (4-13, 2-3) to the MSL West win.
Mary Saitta led Hoffman (4-14, 1-4) with 11 points while Monraia Wilson added 8.
Elk Grove 56, Buffalo Grove 55: Melissa Solorio (22 points), Amber Lindfors (19 points) and Taylor Brown (13 points, one 3-pointer) led the host Grenadiers (6-12, 1-4) in the Mid-Suburban East victory.
Solorio was 6-of-6 at the free throw line as the Grens were 9-of-10 as a team.
Senior Courtney Meyer led BG (8-13, 1-4) with 19 points, including five 3-pointers.
The Bison had 11 3-pointers, including two from Maddie Welter and one apiece from Julie Jambrone, Bri Kolbus, Kim Herzog and Maddy Callahan.
Niles North 66, Maine West 60: Brittany Collins scored 27 points and Julia Huinker added 16 for the visiting Warriors (11-7, 5-1) in the Central Suburban North.