Girls Basketball: Sweet 16 roundup

Updated: January 28, 2012 11:24PM

Lake Zurich 74, Fenwick 65

This might be the toughest five seed around. The way Lake Zurich is playing basketball these days could cause havoc on a couple of fronts. Either in the North Suburban Conference race or the Palatine Sectional. It’s not just that the Bears (17-9) won two games in the very competitive Sweet 16 Tournament. But rather how they handled the Fenwick pressure and scored all those points.

Lake Zurich placed four scores in double figures on Saturday afternoon. And that was key as the Bears pulled away from 18-game winner Fenwick 74-65 at Lake Zurich.

“At first their pressure made us very frantic,’’ senior forward Renee Wojcik said. “And then we passed the ball and made them pay.”

Granted the Friars (18-6) had a few injuries but when the first of four three-pointers by Margaret Reilly fell, Fenwick jumped out quickly at 9-4.

That lead was erased and this game was nip and tuck the entire way. It was a one-point game after one quarter in favor of the guests. At halftime, the Fenwick lead was 29-27. That advantage was still a basket after three quarters. The Fenwick lead was 45-43

“That’s how we play,’’ Fenwick coach Dave Power said. “We play so fast. But we fouled a lot and they made their free throws.”

This game was decided in the fourth quarter. Stephanie Schmid (17 points) opened the final quarter with a three-pointer and she would add another three a minute later. Point guard Maisie Cox (12 points) had a three-point play in the fourth quarter that extended Lake Zurich’s lead to 56-50.

Cathryne Spear had half of her 16 points in the 31-point outburst called the fourth quarter. Dori Darras had eight of her 14 points in this quarter. Wojcik just missed double figures with 8 points.

“I hate the term meaningless for this game,’’ Lake Zurich coach Chris Bennett said. “But if this was a sectional final, we probably would try to slowit down.”

The Friars did play without the services of Paige Corvino and Marek Burchett. But Fenwick did a get a strong performance from sophomore Jade Owens. She led all scorers with 25 points.

“She had a great game,’’ Power said. “Jade was phenomenal.”

Buffalo Grove 57, Providence 33

It’s not been the year of the Bison. Buffalo Grove came into this Sweet 16 Tournament with just four wins on its schedule. Of course playing five No. 1 seeds this season hasn’t helped. On Saturday, the Bison put those thoughts behind them and played a complete game in beating Providence Catholic 57-33.

BG center Bailey North hit the Celtics with 21 points and 11 rebounds.

“We did the little things right to win,’’ North said. “We set screens and boxed out.”

After the Celtics scored the game’s first four points, North scored six straight points to grab a lead for her Bison (5-20). On a five-point run by Emily Cho (nine points), the Bison lead was 19-9. The Bison lead was never really threatened in the second half.

“As a team we played well,’’ BG coach Pat Dudle said. “We got Bailey the ball and she did a good job finishing. That’s what we need.”

Providence scored only four points in the third quarter. Sam Rohrer led the Celtics with seven points.

Marist 55, Barrington 18

It was a bad combination for Barrington on Saturday morning. Guard Nicole Collins was sidelined with an injury and the opponent was once-beaten Marist. It wasn’t pretty. The

Redhawks led 26-2 after one quarter in this Sweet 16 game at Lake Zurich.

At the end of three quarters, three Marist starters (JeTaun Rouse, Claire Ryan and Leah Bolton) all had more points than the Fillies. Marist (24-1) routed

Barrington 55-18.

“The girls played really well,’’ Marist coach Mary Pat Connolly said. “We are really coming together right now.”

On a rebound and bucket from Bolton (13 points), the Redhawks lead was 9-2 midway through the first quarter. And then Marist went on a 17-0 run to seemingly put this game away.

“Marist has a lot of talent,’’ Barrington coach Babbi Barriero said. “We missed Collins but we still have to execute things.”

Connolly reached for her bench even in the first half. She inserted her starters again in the second half. On a Brooke Wyderski layup, the Marist lead was an even 40 points at 50-10.

Marist’s balanced scoring had help from Rouse (12 points), Ryan (11 points) and Wyderski (six points). Barrington (12-14) was led by Maddie Bartz (six

points).

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