At 6-foot-4 inches, West Aurora’s Jackie Shook is an intimidating presence for the 14th-ranked Blackhawks. But Lyons Township’s Amanda Papuga wouldn’t know about that, judging from the 22 points she scored in Lyons’ 62-58 title-game triumph over West Aurora in the Wheaton North tournament.
“You get some shots blocked (by Shook) and it affects you,” Lyons coach Dawn Schabacker said. “Amanda wasn’t too intimidated.”
The 5-9 Papuga, who connected on 7 of 9 free throws, scored 11 points in the fourth quarter when ninth-ranked Lyons (13-2) outscored West Aurora 20-14.
“My shots were off,” said Papuga, a transfer from Fenwick who became eligible two weeks ago. “I could tell I would have to throw some ball fakes and go to the hole and draw some fouls.”
Shook collected 16 points, nine rebounds and six blocks to lead West Aurora (13-3). Katie Meyers added 17 for Lyons.
In the third-place game, 10th-ranked Glenbrook South (15-1) routed No. 20 Hinsdale Central 57-37 behind Brett Leonard’s 28 points and Susie McCreery’s 16.
Benet/Naperville North: Joliet (10-6) stunned No. 7 Benet 63-60 in the fourth round. Brandi Teamer scored off a rebound with 27 seconds left to give Joliet a 61-60 lead. Lori Shelby (19 points) iced the victory with two free throws. Benet (12-2), which was led by Jill Veselik’s 19 points and Bridget Berg’s 16, was held scoreless in the last 1:15. . . . No. 15 Wheaton-Warrenville South triumphed over Glenbard West 50-48 on Ali Klaas’ two free throws with 3 seconds to go. Charliss Ridley scored 21 for the Tigers; Kristi Faulkner had 21 for Glenbard West (10-4). Joliet and Wheaton-Warrenville South will play for the title at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Dundee-Crown: Third-ranked Fenwick will get another shot at the championship after cruising past No. 13 Dundee-Crown 60-48. The Friars lost to Resurrection in the title game last year. Fenwick (12-1) took control with a 21-2 first-quarter run that was fueled by Brenna Smith’s 12 points. Smith scored a game-high 22. Katie O’Grady (14 points) chipped in six during the run.
“This was just the best game we’ve played all year,” Fenwick coach Dave Power said. “You really couldn’t pinpoint who did well because it was a great team effort. But Smith did have a super game.”
Billee Russell led Dundee-Crown (12-2) with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Fenwick will meet No. 8 Maine West (13-1), which cruised past Byron 49-35, in Tuesday’s 8 p.m. championship game.
Dawn Vana scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and teammate Julie Just scored 14 with a trio of three-pointers.
Hillcrest: In semifinal action, Homewood-Flossmoor (11-2) knocked off No. 18 Hillcrest 62-31 behind Megan Bramlette’s 26 points and 15 rebounds. Bramlette, a four-year starter for H-F, surpassed 1,000 career points. Shavonna Hunter paced Hillcrest (10-2) with 13. . . . No. 5 Sandburg (13-1) held off Lincoln-Way 44-36 with an 8-2 run late in the game. Sarah Kustok led the Eagles with 11 points; Libby Peach scored 18 for Lincoln-Way (10-5).
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Warren: No. 16 Warren (14-2) won the round-robin at 4-0, defeating Elk Grove 46-19 and Hersey 50-46. Warren’s Kathy Huntington had 12 points against Elk Grove (3-12) and Tiffany Kelver 18 against Hersey. Kristy Conway collected 19 points and 12 rebounds for Hersey (10-6). . . . Waukegan (7-9) finished second at 3-1. The Bulldogs beat Hersey 54-50 with Kenja White’s 23 points and LaQuitla Evans’ 20 and cruised past Kenosha (Wis.) Reuther Central 37-20.
Crystal Lake Central: Jill Fortney scored 19 points to lead Hoffman Estates (9-4) in a 54-41 semifinal victory over Larkin (7-4). Jennifer Fisher scored 14 in defeat. . . . Crystal Lake Central (6-7) advanced to Tuesday’s final with a 38-30 victory over Rolling Meadows (7-4).
Plainfield: Corinne Pahr scored 19 points to lead Hinsdale South (12-1) in a 63-30 rout over Bolingbrook. Hinsdale South will play Morton, which beat Romeoville 52-43, for the title at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
St. Ignatius: Michelle Shaughnessy scored a game-high 23 points and Lee Glover added 17 to help St. Ignatius (9-7) roll past Regina 54-35. Kathleen Mitchell paced Regina (6-16) with 10. St. Ignatius won the title at 5-0.
St. Viator: Cary-Grove (11-3) improved to 3-0 in the tournament with a 65-31 romp of Wheeling (2-11). Stephanie Perkins collected 20 points and seven rebounds and Karen Liss added 13 points and nine rebounds.