Story posted Wednesday, February 3, 2010
'Cats Claw Back Again
EG Sees 13-Point Lead Wiped Out
By BOBBY CHILVER Journal Sports
Something clicks in the fourth quarter for Wheeling girls basketball.
On Jan. 22 the Wildcats finished on a 12-0 run to beat Hersey and followed that up by beating Prospect with a 9-0 run.
Friday offered a similar scenario as Elk Grove dominated much of the game and took a 13-point lead into the fourth quarter.
But once again Wheeling stepped up their full-court press and once again their opponents had to watch their lead slip away.
The Wildcats began the final period with an amazing 18-0 run, outscored the Grens 22-4 in the quarter and escaped a late deficit to win 47-42.
The comeback win ties Wheeling for first place in the MSL-East with Hersey, who defeated Rolling Meadows on Saturday. Wheeling finishes the division season against Buffalo Grove and Rolling Meadows while Hersey gets Prospect and Elk Grove.
"We like to keep it interesting," Janelle Cannon, who scored eight of her 15 points in the fourth, joked after the game. "We didn't want to lose on our senior night and we picked it up in the fourth quarter."
The defense was so tight that Elk Grove didn't score in the fourth quarter until Ashley Capotosto connected on a short jumper with only 1:20 left in the game. By then Wheeling had taken a five point lead and it was too late.
Bianca Szafarowicz led the defensive effort, racking up three steals and pushing it up court for easy baskets in the decisive quarter.
"I just read the ball, read the player's body language and eyes," said Szafarowicz, who also came up with key steals in the other comebacks. "It creates a lot of energy when we create turnovers and get steals."
The true difference in the game, however, may have been the Wildcat defense on Elk Grove standouts Ashley Capotosto and Courtney Lindfors.
The two combined for 39 of Elk Grove's 42 points as they dominated inside much of the way. Capotosto had already racked up 14 points and seven rebounds by halftime as the Grens held a six point lead. Wheeling began the third quarter on a 7-0 run but Capotosto and Lindfors went on a quick 10-0 run to answer. Meghan Amann later drained a big 3-pointer and Lindfors connected at the third quarter buzzer to give Elk Grove their 13-point lead, and all the momentum, heading into the fourth.
But then that switch flipped.
Cannon took over defense on Capotosto and the Wheeling full-court press forced some key takeaways.
"Our defense creates our offense," Cannon said. "We like to push the ball and fast break."
Cannon hit a 3-pointer to make it 38-31 and Szafarowicz, Stephanie Kuzmanic and Kelli Kuzmanic followed with baskets to make it a one-point game.
Cannon then hit the go-ahead shot with 4:13 left in the game and Wheeling never looked back.
Stephanie Kuzmanic and Cannon combined to go 6-for-6 from the free throw line to seal the victory.
Wheeling coach Shelly Wiegel called it one of the team's best quarters of the year after what she also called one of their worst first halves.
Stephanie Kuzmanic finished with 14 points while sister Kellie added 12 points with some hot mid-range shooting.
For Elk Grove, what looked to be their biggest win of the season turned into disaster.
"They picked up their intensity level and we didn't match it," Gren coach Ryan Kirkorsky said. "Our gameplan was pretty successful but once the momentum shifted in their direction, it was a snowball going downhill at that point."
Capotosto finished with 22 points and Lindfors added 17.
"I told them, 'If we don't learn from this, not much good comes out of it,'" Kirkorsky added.
In other MSL action:
* Hersey kept pace with Wheeling with wins over Buffalo Grove on Thursday and Rolling Meadows on Saturday.
BG nearly pulled off the upset but a 3-pointer to tie the game missed at the buzzer and Hersey survived, 37-34.
Megan Rogowski led the Huskies with 15 points while KC Dunne led the Bison upset bid with 14 points. Rogowski also scored 18 to lead Hersey over Rolling Meadows, 41-30, Saturday afternoon. Maddie Swan added nine points, 16 rebounds and five blocks.
* Prospect escaped Rolling Meadows on Friday as Lexi Glennon scored with just six seconds left to give the Knights a 24-22 win.
Sarah Winans led Prospect with seven points while Amanda Gunn scored nine for the Mustangs.
* Fremd topped Barrington 31-24 in a battle of first place MSL-West teams.
The Vikings improved to 7-1 in the West and remain in a first place tie with Hoffman Estates. Gianna Abruzzo led the Vikings with eight points.
Fremd and Hoffman were scheduled to meet Tuesday.
* Conant dropped a heartbreaker Friday, falling 48-46 to Schaumburg in two overtimes. Kelly Lomas led the Cougars with 19 points while Ashley Lindeman added 15.
* Palatine fell to Hoffman, 49-32. Nia Pappas scored 11 points.
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