Maine West clinches title

Senior Night was quite the success for Maine West's girls basketball team on Friday night in Des Plaines.

Libby Krcik and Sara Stepanovich, making their first varsity starts in their final home game, combined for 9 points and 15 rebounds as the Warriors topped visiting Glenbrook North 42-36 in Des Plaines.

West's regular senior starters, Amanda Hoye and Megan John, also had key buckets as the Warriors clinched their 25th Central Suburban League division championship in 31 years under coach Derril Kipp.

"It was good to do something like this before we left and in our final home game," said Hoye, a three-year starter. "We were second (in the CSL North to Highland Park) the last two seasons so Mr. Kipp really wanted to get it back. It was great to do it for him."

Krcik had West's first two baskets and Brittany Collins converted a 3-point play for a 7-0 lead with 3:49 left.

However, moments later, Collins (16 ppg) fell on her knee and did not play the rest of the game.

"Hopefully it's just a bruise and she will be OK for Tuesday," said Kipp, whose CSL North champs (12-16, 9-1) open against Niles North in the Vikings' own regional. "That hurt our scoring when we lost Brittany. But Ashley (Collins' sister, a junior who had 12 points and 12 rebounds) stepped up."

And the seniors stepped up against the Spartans (17-8, 5-5), who were without all-conference senior guard Rachel Blitt (illness).

Two free throws by Ashley Collins made it 21-17 midway through the third quarter when Hoye (10 points, 4 assists) found her stride, producing 6 points in the next 11 seconds.

Her 3-pointer and 3-point play put West ahead 27-17. John scored West's final 4 points of the quarter, including a 3-pointer for a 31-19 lead.

Krcik's free throw and 10-footer gave West a 35-23 lead midway though the final period. Stepanovich (6 rebounds) made 2 free throws for a 37-30 advantage.

North was trailing 38-34 when it missed 4 shots before Krcik finally got the rebound, her ninth of the game with 1:15 left.

"You've got to rebound," she said of her big night on the boards. "In high school basketball, it's really important because a lot of teams miss on the first attempt."

Krcik also had 7 points.

"This was really fun, especially after usually only going in for two minutes at the end of games when the team has either won or lost the game," Krcik said. "To come out and play as hard as I could from the start meant a lot to me. I'm really glad I could do this in my last home game. It was the best I've ever done in a varsity game. And I hope Brittany (Collins) is OK."

Kipp could not have been prouder of his seniors.

"There are only four but they have been so dedicated," he said. "They're four great kids and I'm going to miss them."

"Senior Night is a special night and I'm really happy with how we finished. We got a lot of kids into the game and we sealed the conference championship."