Girls Basketball: Nia Pappas’ efforts enough as Palatine tops Barrington

Updated: December 2, 2011 8:51PM

Led by junior point guard Nia Pappas’ game-high 15 points, Palatine beat MSL West rival Barrington 41-30 in the first half of a varsity double header Friday night.

The Pirates built their double digit win with a six-point run to close the first half and a 10-point scoring barrage in the third quarter, but Palatine coach Leslie Schock said it was her team’s defensive effort that proved the difference.

“We played hard team defense,” Schock explained. “Barrington always has a lot of offensive threats, so to hold them to 30 points was the key.”

Schock also highlighted Pappas’ consistency, which included seven first half points followed by eight in the final 16 minutes.

“She was phenomenal handling the ball, passing the ball and scoring,” Schock said of her “unflappable” point guard. “Teams are focusing in on her and she has responded well.”

Palatine’s McKenzie Wiedemann added seven and Julie Johlie contributed six points.

The Fillies were lead by senior guard Nicole Collins, who scored a Barrington best 10 points. Forwards Maddie Bartz and K.D. Madden contributed four a piece for Barrington.

Barrington pulled within six points, 29-23, early in the fourth quarter, but did not get any closer.

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