New-look LZ succeeds in opener
Lake Zurich’s girls basketball team graduated its entire starting lineup and returned only three players who were on varsity last season.
Two of those girls — Sara Gazdacka and Sarah Stefaniu — scored in double digits Tuesday night, as the Bears opened the season by pulling out a 43-41 win in overtime against visiting Deerfield in a nonconference game.
Gazdacka scored a game-high 13 points, going 11 of 18 from the foul line, while Stefaniu added 12 points.
Lake Zurich, which outscored Deerfield 7-5 in OT, also got 8 points from sophomore Kaylee Grant.
Loyola 44, Warren 26: At Loyola, Anna Schueler scored 18 points for the host school in a season-opening game that was part of the New Trier Thanksgiving tournament.
Warren was led by Alyssa Phillips’ 7 points and 5 rebounds. Cassie Christie (7 rebounds) and Kristin Jacobs each had 6 points for the Blue Devils, who trailed 14-2 after one quarter and 28-8 at halftime.