Big step forward for Barrington's Chandor
Senior Brooke Chandor was not known as a particularly high-scoring forward last season for the Barrington girls basketball team.
But she worked awfully hard improving her offensive skills this summer while playing for the Magic AAU team directed by former Barrington boys coach Marty Dello.
Chandor sure had the magic touch for the Fillies in their season-opener Thursday night in the Bison Classic.
The 5-foot-11 senior scored a game-high 19 points with five 3-pointers as Barrington posted a 61-43 triumph over host Buffalo Grove.
Chandor's first 3-pointer in the first quarter put the Fillies ahead 13-7 and her last one increased the lead to 53-31 with 5:19 left in the game.
Senior Shelby Whigham added 16 points for the Fillies while senior Sarah Mass and junior Nicole Collins each added 9 points.
"We run a lot of plays that open up the offense," said Chandor, who plays the '4' position in the Fillies' offense. "With Shelby scoring a lot down low, someone will be open outside."
Whigham hit the boards hard for 6 rebounds while Chandor collected 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot.
Senior guard Abby Kirchoff hit two 3-pointers for her 6 points in the final 2:11 of the third quarter when the Fillies gained a 44-24 lead.
"Obviously, Brooke and Shelby had solid games on both ends of then floor," said Barrington coach Babbi Barreiro. "Brooke worked hard in the offseason to contribute offensively and it showed tonight.
"And I'm very happy for Shelby. She's worked hard to come back (from ACL surgery on both knees her first two seasons)."
"This was a great "team" win," added Whigham, a four-year varsity player like Mass. "And Brooke was really on fire."
Two free throws by senior Emily Georgoulis brought BG to within 15-13 early in the second quarter.
But the Fillies went on a 10-0 run and never looked back. Chandor's 3-pointer with two seconds left in the half put the Fillies up 28-16.
"Kiersten Tinkoff and Lizzie Deuel (seniors) made some nice contributions off the bench, particularly defensively," Barreiro said. "They really made a huge impact and that's what team basketball is about. Nicole Collins (junior guard) handled the pressure well, too.
"It was nice team win. Obviously, that's what you want so I'm really proud of the girls."
BG coach Pat Dudle was proud of how his girls kept battling in the final quarter.
Division I softball recruits Andrea DiPrima (13 points, 5 assists) hit two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and KC Dunne (10 points) hit one.
Bison senior Alanna Zawlocki also scored 10 points with 6 rebounds for the Bison (0-1) while sophomore Bailey North collected 8 points and a team-high 7 rebounds.
"Barrington shot very well from the field and played very well," Dudle said. "They are a good team. We need to get better and we need to play consistently for all four quarters."
Hoffman Estates 63, Clemente 30: Hoffman Estates improved to 2-0 in the Elk Grove-Lake Park-Hoffman Estates tournament as senior Jada Stotts led a balanced attack with 13 points and 5 steals.
Sara Burns, Kelsey Pellus and Becca Stoczynski each added 8 for the Hawks while sophomore Destinee Young contributed 7 points and 7 rebounds.
Brittani Love had 6 rebounds and Precious Ogunleye 4 steals for the winners.
Rolling Meadows 34, Highland Park 31: Sophomore center Morgan Keller scored a game-high 20 points as Meadows improved to 3-0 in the Mundelein tourney.
Freshman Jacqueline Kemph added 6 points for the winners, who led 19-12 at the break.
Schaumburg 51, Rockford Boylan 49: The Saxons improved to 2-0 in their own tourney and will face St. Charles East at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Elk Grove 41, Rockford Jefferson 16: Sophomore Diamond Boyd led the Grenadiers (2-0) with 15 points while classmate Kelly Naughton added a pair of 3-pointers for 6 points in the Elk Grove-Lake Park-Hoffman Estates tourney.