Capotosto adds to totals as Grens edge Conant

Before Tuesday's Mid-Suburban League girls basketball crossover between Elk Grove and Conant, the Grenadiers honored junior Ashley Capotosto for becoming the school's all-time leader this season in points and rebounds.

After missing 10 minutes in the first half because of two first-quarter fouls, Capotosto showed why she has scored 1,419 points and grabbed 785 rebounds with her performance in the final two quarters.

With her team trailing 16-9 at the break, Capotosto scored 15 of the Grenadiers' 23 points in second half to help Elk Grove to its fourth straight win, 32-26 over visiting Conant in the fourth-place crossover.

"From the beginning of the season, I should have known better than to get two early fouls," Capotosto said. "I know I'm going to sit when that happens. I was really anxious to get back and help my team win the game. We lost to Conant earlier in the season (48-42) and we wanted a little redemption."

Capotosto broke the school scoring record of Kathy Leyden (1,258 points) who played for the Grens' 1981 state championship team. Alison Schultz, who is Grenadiers coach Ryan Kirkorksy's assistant, is now third on that career list with 1,239.

"I was really excited about (breaking) the records," Capotosto said. "It's been a goal since freshman year. It feels really good to do it as a junior. I hope to keep doing well in AAU basketball this summer."

Capotosto also grabbed 7 rebounds while teammate Olivia Roback had 5 rebounds, 3 steal and 3 assists. Kristy Ottosen chipped in 5 rebounds with 2 assists and 2 steals for the Grenadiers (14-11).

"With Conant being a competitive rival of ours, it always feels good to get a win on your home court," Capotosto added.

"We knew she (Capotosto) was going to score a few points," said Conant coach Dan Travers. "Give their defense some credit, too. We didn't execute well to get a shot in the third quarter. And they hit some on us. We had too many mistakes and unforced turnovers."

Senior Emma Loos led Conant (14-13) with 8 points while classmate Marissa Ross added 6.

The Grenadiers held Conant without a 2-point field goal in the second half.

The Cougars had 1 3-pointer apiece from Ross and junior Kim Davis and 4 free throws from Loos for their 10 points.

"I thought defensively we executed our game plan," Kirkorsky said. "When you are down by 7 to Conant (16-9 at half), it feels like 20 points. But we told out kids to stick to the game plan and I thought they did a good job staying composed. They didn't panic and they looked for good shots."

And Capotosto was back on the floor making 4 of the Grens' 6 baskets in the final two periods along with 7-of-9 free throws.

"We needed her back in the game," said Roback, also a talented shortstop in softball. ""We are playing our best basketball of the season, for sure. We're just getting used to each other and knowing were everyone is on the floor."

Loos' 3-pointer gave Conant a 19-13 lead and her 2 free throws made it 21-17 after three quarters.

But the hosts exploded on a 13-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Junior Meaghan Amann and freshman Dani Goranson each had baskets during the rally while Capotosto had the other 9 points.

"Ashley was fantastic in the second half in every part of the game," Kirkorsky said. "

The Grens held Conant scoreless for the final period until Davis fired home her 3-pointer with 1:02 left in the game.

Hersey 51, Fremd 42: With back-to-back wins on Monday and Tuesday, the host Huskies posted their 20th 20-win season under coach Mary Fendley in 11 seasons.

Sophomore Megan Rogowski (4 steals) scored a game-high 25 points for the Huskies (21-8) who defeated Fremd (17-9) for the second time this season.

Junior Kelly Rogowski added 11 points for the winners in the MSL second-place crossover.

Senior Kristen Gierman, despite nursing a sprained ankle suffered in gym class Tuesday, scored 7 points with 4 steals.

"She was not 100 percent and still figured out a way to play great for us," Fendley said.

Andrea Perkins and Julia Fredian each handed out 4 assists for Hersey while teammate Maddie Swan collected 8 rebounds, 6 points and 4 steals.

Fremd was led by Gianna Abruzzo (10 points), Taylor Glassman (8), Jessi Wiedemann (8) and Katie Hetzner (7).

Barrington 45, Prospect 40: Barrington (18-10) received 13 points from senior Anna Kirchoff and 11 from sophomore Abby Kirchoff, who had 2 3-pointers in the MSL third-place crossover.

Sam Maasarani and Sara Reindl each had a 3-pointer for the Fillies while Danielle Brucci tossed in one from long distance for Prospect.

The Knights (17-9) were paced by Lexi Glennon (8) and Alyssa Glennon (7).

Buffalo G. 51, Schaumburg 46: Sophomore KC Dunne (14 points) and junior Heather Nisbet (13 points, 3 3-pointers) led the host Bison (10-20) in the MSL fifth-place crossover.

Senior Sarah Kellermeyer led Schaumburg (7-20) with 23 points while Sarah McGinn added 1.

Palatine 31, Meadows 26: Visiting Palatine (5-25) won its second straight as juniors Jenny Solberg and Katie Nawrot led the way with 10 points apiece in the MSL sixth-place crossover.

Rolling Meadows (8-21) was paced by freshman Ann Marie Lynch's 8 points.