With Maine West’s 6-foot-2-inch center, Dawn Vana, hounded by two defenders, teammate Heather Fitzgerald took the opportunity to put her own talents on display.
Fitzgerald scored all 11 of her points in the second half to break open a close game and lead the fifth-ranked Warriors (6-0) past Stevenson 39-27 Saturday in the third round of the Maine West tournament.
As Stevenson (2-2) double-teamed the Illinois-bound Vana, who finished with six points (all from the free-throw line), Fitzgerald flourished under the basket.
“I was happy to get other people involved and show what we could do,” Maine West coach Derril Kipp said. “Once we got Dawn up top, they were chasing her, which allowed Heather to get open underneath.”
Stevenson’s defensive pressure, however, came at the expense of its offense as the Patriots, who were led by Heather Fricke’s six points, didn’t score their first field goal of the second half till 17 seconds remained in the third quarter.
In other tournament action, Maria (5-0) triumphed over St. Ignatius 67-65 as Laura Cain had 23 points, five assists and four steals. Michelle Shaughnessy scored 26 for St. Ignatius (2-2).
Washington (1-3) held off Young 58-57 with Nehemiah Wesley’s 17 points. Shanay Williams scored 22 for Young, while Amy Dowiarz’s 20 points lifted York (1-2) past Hersey 61-51. Liz Stewart had 18 for Hersey (2-4)
Deerfield tournament: No. 3 Fenwick handed 18th-ranked Warren (4-1) its first loss, 51-36, to defend its title. Katie O’Grady, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player for the second straight year, had 18 points and six steals to lead the Friars (6-0). Freshman Claudette Towers, also named to the all-tournament team, added 12 points.
“It was good to see Claudette and Katie both click on the same night,” Fenwick coach David Power said.
Janie Hodgkinson had 23 points and eight rebounds and Sarah Spain added 16 points as Lake Forest (4-1) defeated Resurrection 62-49 for third place.
Naperville Central: No. 6 Sandburg (6-0) prevailed against Glenbard West 39-32 to claim the tournament title. The Eagles were paced by sophomore Sarah Kustok, who scored 15 points and held Glenbard West’s Kristi Faulkner to 12. Glenbard West fell to 4-2. Sandburg center Jill Keresztes, who is recovering from a torn knee ligament, left the game in the second quarter after aggravating the injury.
Mother McAuley 72, St. Benedict 42: No. 8 McAuley (3-0) rolled with Beth Dilling’s 15 points and four steals.
Buffalo Grove/Maine South: Denise Pavichevich scored 15 points and Sarah Cohen chipped in with 13 as No. 12 Maine South (6-0) upended No. 16 Buffalo Grove (5-1) 56-42 to claim its third straight title. Maine South closed the first half with an 11-0 run to go up 30-18. Kendra Ryl led the Bison with 14 points. . . . Libertyville took third with its 52-41 victory over Barrington. Allison Farrington led Libertyville (3-3) with 22 points, while Annie Sturtevant had 19 for Barrington (0-5).
Lyons Township tournament: No. 19 Lyons Township (4-0) defeated Homewood-Flossmoor 44-33 for the title as Katie Meyers led the way with 19 points. Christina Velente led H-F (3-2) with 15. . . . Downers Grove South (3-2) edged West Chicago 49-45 as Tess Kochan scored 18 points. Leslie Harlson’s 16 points paced West Chicago (2-3).
Hinsdale South tournament: No. 20 Hinsdale Central survived against Hinsdale South, pulling out a 43-42 victory for the title. Laura Barnard had 18 points for the Red Devils (3-1), and Becky Kostal led Hinsdale South (3-1) with 15 points. . . . Oswego routed Rich East 70-50 for third place as Lisa Johnson had 24 points.
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Elgin Academy tournament: Francis Parker won the championship by defeating Driscoll 44-33. The Colonels were led by Lizzie Kaplan’s 16 points. Diana Nelson had 12 for Driscoll (2-2).
Glenbard East tournament: Nazareth (5-1) won the title by defeating St. Francis 64-52. The Roadrunners used 15 points by Joanna Bukovsky and 14 by Danielle Moles. St. Francis is 4-1.
Lincoln-Way tournament: Morris claimed the title with a 60-57 victory over the host Knights (3-2). Adrianne Leschewski scored 26 points to lead the Redskins (5-1) and Katy Kukman added 11. . . . Thornridge topped Tinley Park 34-25 behind 11 points from Stacy Tassin.
Mundelein tournament: Grayslake (4-2) took the title with a 34-10 rout of McHenry (4-2). Jenny Wessel had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals for the Rams and Carrie Hovik added 10 points.