CARPENTERSVILLE — The Evanston girls basketball team showed just how far it has come when it pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic, earning a 68-60 overtime win over previously unbeaten Stevenson on Friday.
“It’s a great win considering we played them the first game of the season and lost by 12,” Evanston coach Elliot Whitefield said.
This was a much different Evanston team than the one that lost to the Patriots 44-32 on Nov. 18. The Wildkits (9-5) played with energy and decisiveness against a tenacious Stevenson zone defense in the quarterfinals. This resolve was never more apparent than on the final possession in regulation.
Trailing 55-52, the Wildkits had the ball. Sophomore forward Leighah-Amori Wool, who missed her first seven three-point shots, broke free off a screen. With seven seconds remaining, she drilled a three-point basket to tie the game and send it into overtime. Wool finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
In overtime, the Wildkits took control. A three-point shot from sophomore guard Savannah Norfleet (24 points, 5-of-9 three-pointers) with 1:05 left gave Evanston at 62-58 lead. The Wildkits made 6-of-6 free throws the rest of the way.
Stevenson senior forward Taylor Buford led the Patriots (12-1) with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Patriots sophomore guard Ashley Richardson finished with 16 points after making 12-of-14 free throws.
“I never anticipated at this point of the season we’d be 12-0. Obviously we’d like to be 13-0 but it didn’t happen,” Stevenson coach Tom Dineen said. “I’m disappointed in the loss but we came over here for the competition and we got it.”
Evanston will face Prospect in the tournament semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Stevenson next plays Hononegah in the consolation bracket at 5 p.m. Monday.