Jessi Wiedemann sparks Fremd over Palatine

For Fremd sophomore guard-forward Jessi Wiedemann, there was more on the line Saturday night against Palatine than the Mid-Suburban West rivalry.

If you look at the roster of the Pirates, another Wiedemann is there - senior guard Sydney, Jessi's older cousin.

Jessi Wiedemann wanted to come up big to help her team, but also earn some bragging rights against her big cousin.

It worked as Fremd beat host Palatine 56-37.

"It's a big rivalry, but it was even bigger with my cousin on the other team," Jessi Wiedemann said.

Jessi Wiedmann came up big for the Vikings (13-5, 4-0) in the second quarter.

After jumping out to a 15-2 lead after eight minutes, Palatine coach Leslie Schock reminded her team of its objectives.

"We didn't want to allow penetration," Schock said. "They had a layup, then two potential 3-point plays after that.

Schock's first-quarter talk sparked the Pirates, led by senior Katie Nawrot's 10 points and junior Alexis Bauer's 7, to start fighting their way back into the game.

Twice in the second quarter, Fremd coach Dave Yates called timeouts after a 16-6 run by the Pirates to try and get his team refocused.

"I was pleased with the start, but it's a rivalry game," Yates said. "We expected a comeback from them."

Cue Jessi Wiedemann.

The sophomore came off the bench for the Vikings and chipped in 10 points and 8 rebounds, with key contributions in the final minutes of the first half closing it out on a 7-0 run.

"She's coming along nicely," Yates said. "She's only a sophomore, and she gave us a spark hitting some big shots in that run."

The momentum of the second quarter carried into the third for Fremd. Seniors Taylor Glassman (15 points, 7 of 8 free throws) and Gianna Abruzzo (12 points, 6 rebounds) picked up the pace and sparked Fremd to a 46-29 lead after three quarters.

"I just try to share the ball with my teammates and take what (the other team) gives me," Glassman said.

The inconsistency of Palatine (6-10, 0-4) continues to show, but the Pirates are young and lack experience.

"We have a freshman, two sophomores and three juniors contributing significantly," Schock said. "We show flashes of brilliance at times, and other times we look like we dont know what were doing."