Poulos helps Hersey edge Maine West
Renee Poulos is the youngest player on Hersey’s girls basketball roster.
But that doesn’t mean the 5-foot-8 sophomore forward can’t play like an upperclassman.
For the second time in four games, Poulos led the Huskies in scoring.
This time, she tossed in 14 points as Hersey won its second game at the Maine West Tip-Off Classic.
The Huskies grabbed a 13-7 lead after one quarter and never trailed in a 41-35 triumph over the host Warriors.
Senior Maggie Hogen scored 7 of her 13 points in the first quarter for Hersey and also pulled down 18 rebounds. She has 47 rebounds in three tourney games.
“Maggie was amazing,” said senior point guard Jen Hall (5 points), who directs the offense. “And Renee has really stepped up inside and is playing great. I’m really proud of her.”
Poulos scored 12 of her points in the second half.
“Renee has really been a pleasant surprise,” said Hersey coach Mary Fendley, whose team is 2-2 and 2-1 in the Classic. “She has hit some really big shots. We’ve had three different leading scorers in four games, with Renee being the leader twice.”
“We are improving each game, so that’s good,” Poulos said. “It’s great working inside with Maggie (Hogen). She’s great. Our shooting percentage has not been that great, but if we put our shooting together with our rebounding, then things will be even better.”
Sophomore Brittany Collins led Maine West (0-4, 0-3) with 16 points and 7 rebounds.
Senior guard Amanda Hoye chipped in 10 points with 5 assists and 3 steals while classmate and backcourt partner Megan John scored 8 points with 3 rebounds.
“If we get the ball more to Brittany, we’d probably be better off,” said Maine West coach Derril Kipp. “I thought Megan John played better than she has been. She looked to shoot the ball a little more this game.
“We just made too many mistakes and gave the game away. And our shooting percentage is not where it should be.”
Grayslake Central 51, Barrington 42: All-tourney selection Nicole Collins (13 points), Maddie Bartz (9), Brooke Gunderson (6) and Angie Kirchoff (6) led Barrington (2-3) on the final day of the Bison Classic.
Maine South 48, Buffalo Grove 25: All-tourney pick Bailey North scored 10 points to lead BG (1-4) while teammates Emily Cho added 7 and Kim Herzog 6 in the final game of the Bison Classic.
State-ranked Maine South (6-0) won the crown with a 5-0 record.
Johnsburg 47, Wheeling 40: Senior Leah Malsom (14 points, 7 rebounds), senior Kellie Kuzmanic (9 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists), freshman Deanna Kuzmanic (6 points, 6 rebounds) and freshman Hailey Dammeier (6 points, 6 rebounds) led Wheeling (1-5, 1-4) on the final day of the Niles North tourney.