Libertyville’s victory Thursday seemed as improbable as, well, John Elway’s getting a Super Bowl ring in this century. That’s because:
– Visiting St. Ignatius led 44-29 after three quarters.
– Libertyville hadn’t beaten the Wolfpack in four previous attempts.
– Diana Steplyk is a freshman at Libertyville–at least that’s what the transcript says.
Nonetheless, the Wildcats improved their record to 15-7 with a 60-56 non-conference victory.
The 5-foot-10-inch Steplyk was in coach Tom Murphy’s starting lineup but didn’t really start playing until the fourth quarter. Junior Allison Farrington’s three-pointer brought Libertyville to within 48-47 with 3 1/2 minutes left. That’s when Steplyk stepped it up. She scored the Wildcats’ next 13 points, giving them a 58-56 lead with 8 seconds left.
“I’ve forgotten I’m a freshman,” said Steplyk, who also had two rebounds, two steals and two assists. “I feel like I’ve been with this team my whole life.”
Well, at least three months.
So stunning was Libertyville’s turnaround–the Wildcats’ 31 points in the fourth quarter were more than they had scored the previous three periods–that lost in the barrage was the defense of another Libertyville freshman.
Arin Yarc, a 5-6 guard, was asked to stop St. Ignatius’ 6-0 senior Michelle Shaughnessy in the second half. Shaughnessy had 13 points and five rebounds in the first half to lift the Wolfpack (12-12) to a 30-22 lead. But Yarc held her to two baskets and seven points in the second half.
“We knew we could win this,” said Farrington, who finished with 16 points–her two free throws iced the game with 2 seconds left. “Diana just started playing awesome.”
Hersey 56, Buffalo Grove 39: Hersey (14-8, 6-2) handed No. 18 Buffalo Grove (18-5, 6-1) its first Mid-Suburban North loss in three years behind Hollie Schurr’s 16 points, seven rebounds and six steals. The Bison, led by Christy Compobasso’s 10 points, trailed 31-20 at half and never recovered.
Maine South 62, Lake Forest 41: Mary Friesl hit eight of 11 shots en route to 20 points and Denise Pavichevich added 15 points and nine steals for No. 5 Maine South (20-3). Janie Hodgkinson and Sarah Spain scored nine apiece for Lake Forest (17-6).
Fenwick 62, Carmel 29: No. 6 Fenwick (21-2, 7-0) cruised in the East Suburban Catholic behind Katie O’Grady (15 points) and Marisa Macchione (14). The Friars’ Claudette Towers didn’t play due to a minor shoulder injury, and Devin Bernard sat out with a sprained ankle. Carmel is 9-14, 2-6.
Sandburg 52, Lockport 33: No. 7 Sandburg (21-2, 7-0 SICA West) led 19-2 after one quarter and rolled behind Tracy Hoffmann’s 16 points. Trisha Jackel scored 11 for Lockport (13-9, 3-4).
Benet 56, Marian Catholic 35: Vanessa Lichon scored 16 points to pace No. 10 Benet (20-4, 6-1) in the East Suburban Catholic.
Conant 51, Hoffman Estates 43: Sheryl Jedd and Jennifer Pettyjohn scored 12 points apiece for No. 13 Conant (23-1, 7-1) in the Mid-Suburban South.
Waubonsie Valley 63, DeKalb 44: Ashley Luke’s 27 points carried No. 12 Waubonsie (19-4, 11-0) in the Upstate Eight. Becky Menendez scored 10 for DeKalb (3-18, 1-9).
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Hillcrest 84, Tinley Park 20: No. 20 Hillcrest (20-2, 9-0) rolled in the SICA Central behind Shavonna Hunter’s 29 points.
Argo 52, Reavis 39: Aja Mister scored 14 for Argo (17-6, 5-2) in the SICA North. Nicole Kruchten scored 22 for Reavis (9-13, 2-5).
Bremen 49, Thornton Fractional South 33: Patrice Jennings collected 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead Bremen (17-6, 7-2 SICA Central).
Curie 50, Robeson 37: Rachel Porter’s 25 points led Curie (16-7, 9-2) in the Red Central.
Fremd 51, Palatine 40 (2 OT): Fremd (16-6, 5-2) sank eight free throws in the second overtime for the Mid-Suburban North victory. Maggie Fontana led the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Karen Hagberg had 24 points and 12 rebounds for Palatine (12-11, 3-5).
Holy Trinity 36, Trinity 23: Qiana Young had 18 points and 17 rebounds for Holy Trinity (12-9).
Lake Park 50, East Aurora 49: Ashley Stewart’s three-pointer with less than a minute left proved to be the game-winner for Lake Park (10-14, 5-6) in the Upstate Eight. Carlin Chesick led Lake Park with 20 points; Stewart added 10. Conference scoring leader Teresa Reynolds had 27 for East Aurora.
Lane Tech 40, Taft 38 (OT): Laquintae Taborn (10 points) hit two free throws with 50 seconds left to lift Lane (11-5, 8-2) in the Public Red North.
Phillips 68, Lindblom 37: Patricia Wansley (17 rebounds, eight assists) and Catrina Bush (11 steals) scored 22 apiece for Phillips (15-5, 9-1) in the Red South. Karastin Savage scored 15 for Lindblom (7-12, 3-7).
Rich South 48, Rich East 38: Shavon Alexander’s 17 points led Rich South (17-5, 7-0) in the SICA South. Rich East fell to 10-11, 3-4.
Rolling Meadows 67, Prospect 38: Jaclyn Jares scored a career-high 34 points to guide Rolling Meadows (13-7, 4-4) in the Mid-Suburban South. Alison Campbell led Prospect (9-13, 3-5) with 14 points.
Schaumburg 51, Elk Grove 33: Kristin Stewart’s 14 points paced Schaumburg (15-6, 8-0) in the Mid-Suburban South. Elk Grove fell to 3-20, 0-8.
Stagg 63, Joliet 59: Amanda Rawson’s 24 points helped Stagg (11-11, 1-6) prevail in the SICA West. Brandi Teamer led Joliet (15-10, 3-4) with 19 points.
Sullivan 68, Von Steuben 62: Camille Calhoun’s 32 points and Tamanique Porter’s 22 led Sullivan (15-6, 3-6 Public Red North).