Fenwick tops Fremd in OT

For the first half of Fremd’s third-place game against Fenwick at the 29th annual Charger Christmas Classic on Thursday at Dundee-Crown, it appeared the Vikings were way on their way to upsetting the Friars.

Fenwick, however, overcame a 16-point second-quarter deficit and defeated Fremd 84-77 in overtime.

Fremd (12-3) was able to break the Fenwick fullcourt pressure on several occasions in the first half, which led to several layups as it took a 40-24 lead late in the first half and led by 13 at the break.

In the third quarter, though, Fenwick found its shooting touch and chewed into the Vikings’ lead.

Fremd was clinging to a 3-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. The teams battled back and forth for the final eight minutes.

Fremd led 68-65 with 10 seconds left before the Friars’ Meredith Boardman hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 68.

Junior Ashley McConnell’s shot at the buzzer was no good to send the game to overtime.

Fenwick dominated the extra session, locking the game down from the free-throw line as Fremd had to keep fouling to stay in the game.

McConnell finished with a career-high 32 points and was modest about her big night.

“My teammates got me the ball and we all worked together to break their press,” McConnell said.

Bernie Williams, Haley Gorecki and Jessi Wiedemann each added 13 points for Fremd, which finished fourth in the tournament for the second straight year.

Fremd coach Dave Yates said the style of play that Fenwick plays probably had an effect on his team in the second half.

“I think they turned us over a little more, we didn’t turn the ball over as much in the first half,” Yates said. “We missed a few more layups and that’s a part of that style they play to get you tired — and I think we got a little bit tired. We had a 3-point lead and they hit a big shot to send it to overtime.

“We did a lot of things to win that game, and they made the right plays at the right time.”

Yates said McConnell’s tournament play is something that hasn’t been seen much in the history of Fremd’s program.

“She had an unbelievable tournament,” Yates said. “She had two games where she hit five 3-pointers, and you put this game on top of it, she had an outstanding tournament. That’s as good as a kid from Fremd has played in this tournament in a long time.”

Fenwick was led by Boardman’s 24 points while Jade Owens added 18 and Paige Corvino had 16.

Fremd will be back on the court Tuesday night at home in a Mid-Suburban League crossover against Prospect.