Proving its victory over Proviso West one day earlier was no fluke, the Fremd girls` basketball team knocked off seventh-ranked New Trier 50-34 in the quarterfinals of the Dundee-Crown Christmas Tournament on Wednesday.
As it had done against No. 6 Proviso West 28 hours earlier, Fremd (11-6)
stunned just about everyone in the Carpentersville gym with its second straight upset.
Just about everyone except the Vikings, that is.
”We set some goals this season,” said Fremd coach Carol Plodzien.
”Winning this tournament was one of them. That`s what we`re intending to do.”
To qualify for Friday`s title game, Fremd must first get by No. 2 Maine West, which is no easy task. The two-time defending tournament champion Warriors (13-2) advanced to this year`s semifinals by pasting Joliet St. Francis 59-37 Wednesday. Maine West led 21-0 before Joliet (5-8) scored its first point with 3 minutes, 34 seconds left in the first quarter.
Maine West coach Derril Kipp used the second half to rest most of his starters, including Moira Kennelly, who led all scorers with 19 points, and Cristy Nelson, who added 13. Brenda Betthauser led Joliet with eight points.
”It`s going to be interseting,” said Kipp of Thursday`s matchup.
”Fremd has some good inside kids. Jenny Buhrke had a good game against us, but we neutralized their outside game.”
Wednesday, Fremd relied on good outside shooting and a defense that bothered the Trevians (12-2) somewhat. Of course, New Trier`s poor shooting
(13 of 60 for 21.6 percent) contributed heavily.
”When you don`t shoot well, you have to play good defense,” said New Trier coach John Schneiter. ”I don`t know whether we didn`t shoot well because they had a good defense or what.
”Fremd is a good, solid, big team. The only thing they might lack is quickness.”
The Vikings didn`t lack much Wednesday, paced by 14 points apiece from Leah Siela and Buhrke. Jennifer Johnson led New Trier with 10 points.
In other quarterfinal action Wednesday, Evanston surprised No. 10 York 65-55 in what was a close contest until late in the fourth quarter. Four Wildkits scored in double figures; Penny Armstrong led all scorers with 19 points, Erica Handelman had 13, Christine Clifton 11 and Carla Freeman 10. Jenny Kusmierz led York (10-4) with 14 points, Bonnie Richrath added 12, Jenny Love 11.
”The best thing is that we were able to win a close game against a good team and do the right things,” said Evanston coach Cynthia Bumbry, whose team is 13-3. ”I`m pretty excited that we advanced.”
Evanston (13-3) will face Mother McAuley in the other semifinal game Thursday. The ninth-ranked Mighty Macs beat host Dundee-Crown 69-44 Wednesday. Megan Lucid led McAuley (11-2) with 16 points, Patty Harvey had 12. Karen Kresic led the Chargers (11-3) with 14 points, Michelle Russell added 12.
Joan Finley scored 19 points and pulled down 17 rebounds for Proviso West in a 63-34 victory over Crystal Lake Central. Shunda Canfield (12 points) and Tamara Ingram (11 points) paced Crystal Lake Central.
