The game was so good that nobody wanted to see it end.
Lydia Crow appeared to extend the showdown between Libertyville and Stevenson to a third overtime by drilling a deep 3-pointer from the right wing Friday night in Libertyville.
However, the Patriots’ Klaire Steffens scored with less than two seconds to play for a 59-57 victory against the Wildcats.
After winning 10 of its last 14 games, Libertyville (15-11, 7-6 North Suburban Conference as of Monday) had much to be proud of.
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“That was probably our best game of the year,” Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen said. “We feel like we are playing our best basketball right now.”
A Libertyville native, Crow personifies the team’s growth. She brings an added dimension to the Wildcats’ offense by helping spread the floor for senior post players Claire Keefe and Caroline Frea.
Crow converted four 3-pointers against Stevenson.
“We have been willing to go through some growing pains in order to maximize production,” Pedersen said. “I think part of the reason we are playing so well right now is (Crow) is just improving at a dominant rate.”
Crow moves well without the ball and seems to find open floor space all over the court.
“It does not really matter where I am on the court,” Crow said. “Wherever I am, hopefully I get the pass. Earlier in the season was different, but now these past few games, I have just been on. My focus has just been trying to get better and better with every practice and work as hard as I can, because this is a really good team and I want to make my team proud.”
Crow, a freshman, is just beginning her time at Libertyville. Frea, a senior, is making her final run with the Wildcats. She is a two-year starter, a rangy and skilled 6-footer, and played perhaps the greatest game of her career against Stevenson. She scored a personal-best 20 points and added eight rebounds.
Keefe was honored before the game for becoming just the sixth player in the program’s history to reach 1,000 career points. Frea, who averages 10 points and eight rebounds per game, is the perfect contrast with Keefe.
“Our styles of play really complement each other,” Frea said. “We always look for each other down low around the basket or on outside shots. I know if I miss a shot, she’s there for the rebound and vice versa.”
Against Stevenson, Frea scored inside the paint but primarily chipped in with her mid-range jumper. Frea was named a captain at the start of the season and has stepped into her leadership role.
“I have always known I have the skills,” said Frea, also of Libertyville. “It’s about improving my game and working with the team to have the best role I have to help the team succeed.”
The Stevenson game was also a potential prelude. Libertyville is a No. 6 seed in its own Class 4A sectional, and the Patriots are third-seeded. Both teams are slotted in Stevenson’s regional and are lined up to meet in the regional final on Feb. 17.
Stevenson won both regular-season meetings by two points.
“I am mostly looking forward to spending the last few weeks with my teammates,” Frea said. “I look forward to playing with them a few more games.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press