All night long Argo’s defense paid special attention to Romeoville’s Tiffany Crutcher.
But during the most crucial moment of Thursday’s SICA North game, Argo could only rely on luck. Clinging to a two-point lead, Argo watched as Crutcher stepped to the line for two free throws. Crutcher missed both, and Argo (9-14, 3-4) walked away with the upset 50-48 victory over No. 13 Romeoville (19-3, 5-2).
“We fronted Crutcher and kept rotating players on her as well as [Cherise] Mister,” Argo coach Deb Schmeltzer said. “Defensively we switched around and tried to have the rest of the team beat us.”
In the third quarter, Argo converted turnovers into three consecutive three-pointers, one by Kim Rusch and two by Maria Cornel, extending its lead to 41-34. Romeoville battled back, however, behind six straight points from Crutcher to cut the lead to one with three minutes remaining.
The Argonauts were led by Veronica Kristie and LaTanya Jackson with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Crutcher led all scorers with 22 points and Mister added 11.
Buffalo Grove 55, Rolling Meadows 31: Piper Mead and Allison Guth each scored 11 points as No. 4 Buffalo Grove (21-3, 8-0) rolled to the Mid-Suburban League East victory.
Fenwick 41, Carmel 22: No. 5 Fenwick (22-2, 7-0) cruised in the East Suburban Catholic behind Katie O’Grady’s 15 points. Carmel fell to 14-11, 3-5.
Washington 56, Morgan Park 36: No. 9 Washington (23-2, 9-0) trailed by four at the half but started the third quarter with a 9-0 run to take control of the Public Red game. Leslie Hill scored eight during the run and finished with 23 points. Dejeanette Flournoy added 15 points and 22 rebounds for Washington. Morgan Park fell to 13-8, 6-3.
Benet 56, Marian Catholic 40: No. 11 Benet (19-4, 5-1) rebounded from Tuesday’s loss to Maria with the East Suburban Catholic victory. Jordan Wilson scored 25 points, including 15 on three-pointers, for Benet, which is adjusting without point guard Amanda Kammes. She injured her ankle last week. Kandyce Green scored 21 for Marian (11-10, 3-6).
Barrington 71, Hoffman Estates 38: Lindsay Richards scored 13 of her 23 points in the first quarter to fuel No. 12 Barrington (20-4, 8-0) in the Mid-Suburban West. Kristen Korzenski led Hoffman Estates (8-13, 0-8) with 22 points.
Dunbar 65, Roosevelt 34: No. 14 Dunbar (21-6, 8-2) rolled in the Public Red behind Desire Wheeler, who scored 18 points to go with 17 rebounds. Juanita Pruitt scored 23 for Roosevelt (5-13, 1-8).
Fremd 65, Schaumburg 46: Maggie Fontana’s 20 points, 13 rebounds and five assists carried No. 15 Fremd (16-7, 6-2) in the Mid-Suburban West. Andi Brooke led Schaumburg (12-10, 2-6) with 18 points.
Hersey 82, Wheeling 28: Nicolette McCartny scored 21 points and grabbed 21 rebounds to lead Hersey (15-7, 6-1) in the Mid-Suburban League East.
Hillcrest 65, Bremen 41: The Hawks (17-4, 9-0) remained unbeaten in the SICA Central behind 26 points from Janelle Hughes. Shajuan Lindsey had 28 points for Bremen (9-11, 6-3).
Kenwood 59, Kelly 23: Alex Brady’s 22 points and 21 rebounds led Kenwood (11-12, 8-2) in the Public Central.
Lane Tech 54, Fenger 41: Charlotte Robinson’s 14 points led Lane (16-8, 5-4) in the Public Red. Maria Scott scored 23 for Fenger.
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Libertyville 70, St. Ignatius 39: Aubrey Smith scored 15 for Libertyville, which won its fifth straight.
Oak Lawn 50, Reavis 41: Jenny Sepessy scored 25 points to pace Oak Lawn (12-10, 4-3) in the SICA North. Reavis fell to 5-16, 1-6.
Regina 52, Immaculate Heart of Mary 45: Regina (11-10) was led by Brittany Becker, who had 13 points and 15 rebounds, and Christina Quaye, who added 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Richards 50, Bolingbrook 42: Tina Hill scored 16 points and Christy Gorecki added 14 to lead Richards (17-2, 7-0) in the SICA North.
Richards Academy 58, Kennedy 22: Dionna Dawson scored 37 for Richards (5-11, 4-8 Public Central).
Rich South 50, Crete-Monee 26: Jasmine Daniels scored 14 for Rich South (18-4, 7-0 SICA South).
St. Francis de Sales 63, Josephinum 40: Chrissy Long and Valen Vega each scored 13 for De Sales (20-3). Ranetta Hall led Josephinum (10-8) with 17 points.
Seneca 93, Wilmington 26: Julie Provance led 10 scorers with 18 points for Seneca (19-0, 12-0) in the Interstate Eight.
Serena 68, Hinckley-Big Rock 42: Serena clinched the Little 10 championship over Hinckley-Big Rock with the victory. Amber Morsch’s 22 points and Lindsey Keigley’s 20 led Serena (16-6, 8-0).
Streamwood 57, East Aurora 28: Tina Brook scored a career-high 23 points and added eight rebounds and four blocks for Streamwood (8-15, 6-5) in the Upstate Eight.
Sullivan 65, Northside Prep 60: Taminique Porter’s 20 points led Sullivan (14-5, 9-2 Public North).
Von Steuben 49, Clemente 28: Stacy Johnson’s 18 points and Carrie Porter’s 15 points and 20 rebounds led Von Steuben (11-3, 9-2) in the Public North.
Wheaton Warrenville South 51, Naperville North 42: With Charliss Ridley out with a concussion, junior Maureen Carey chipped in 13 points and Sarah Baumgartner added 12 for Wheaton South (18-4, 8-2) in the DuPage Valley. Rachel Karos scored 18 for Naperville North (15-9, 5-5).
Yorkville 50, Lemont 33: Alesia Perry scored 22 points to lead Yorkville (18-4, 12-1) in the Suburban Prairie White. Lemont dropped to 11-12, 7-7.