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Quick start propels Buffalo Grove over Prospect

For the first time all season, Buffalo Grove girls basketball coach Steve Kolodziej got to see the all-senior starting lineup he envisioned more than three years ago.

And the start of Friday's Mid-Suburban East game against visiting Prospect was quite a pleasant visual for the Bison fans.

The hosts rolled out to an 18-6 lead and never looked back in a 60-42 triumph.

Senior Kendra Lee started out with the game's hottest hand, connecting on her first 3 shots, including a pair of 3-pointers, to lift BG to an 8-4 advantage.

"We've been waiting a whole season for everyone to be healthy and ready to go so it was really exciting," said Lee, who shared team scoring honors with classmate Macy Floro (17 points apiece). "It was really nice to be able to hit the shots right out of the gate. I think it gave us the confidence to carry through the rest of the game."

Lee, a Lindenwood University (MO) recruit, loved starting with her fellow seniors on Senior Night. And they all scored - Floro, Megan Fontanetta (11 points), Alyssa Ramos (2 points) and Zori Angelova (2).

"It was a great feeling having all our seniors on the court again," said Fontanetta, who hit two key 3-pointers in the first half. "We started playing basketball together in fifth-grade feeder."

It was Ramos' first start since suffering an ankle injury earlier this season.

"It was exciting to see her back," Kolodziej said. "It's been a long year for Alyssa. She was able to work through some foot issues during volleyball season. Then on the first day of basketball, she was like 'wow, this is different'.

"She has been working like you wouldn't believe with her rebab. I was so happy and proud of her to be able to start on her Senior Night."

Angelova missed the first 18 games with a hand injury.

"Three or four years ago I thought we'd have a full season of these seniors starting," Kolodziej said. "I'm glad we got one game now and I'm looking forward to the next."

The next for BG (16-8, 7-0) will be at Hersey (20-6, 6-1) on Tuesday with first place on the line.

Freshman Kora Kipley added 9 points for BG while Prospect (9-10, 1-5) was led by junior Eliot Dojutrek (17) and sophomore Andie Will (8). Sarah Skaggs added 6.

"Ellen Sherwood, Sara Skaggs and Jolene Neuhalefen came in and did a great job to make the most of their minutes," said Prospect coach Marie Miller. "That's kind of what we've been telling them. The season doesn't stop. We have to keep showing up so we have make sure we make the most of our minutes both in the games and the rest of the season.

"Our underclassmen all come back. So they're learning a lot, too. We're very green right now and we're continuing to learn. We don't want to focus too much on the future because we have a whole season to finish but we're definitely going in the right direction."

Lee had BG headed in the right direction early.

"It was great way for Kendra start, especially with the energy in the gym with it being Senior Night," Kolodziej said. "And we had a good crowd as well. Everyone was excited.

"We played pretty well. We still have things to work on and clean up. But I'm really happy with our effort and offensive execution."

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