Washington girls basketball coach Willie Byrd has driven his last bus, put away his last uniform and coached his last game.
Lane Tech edged Washington 45-41 in a Public League quarterfinal Thursday at Crane, sending Byrd into retirement after 14 years as head coach.
In those 14 years Byrd won two city championships, in 1991 and 2000. His 1999-2000 team finished second in the state tournament, losing to Buffalo Grove 60-51 in overtime of the championship game.
“I probably won’t miss this until September,” said Byrd, who finishes with a career record of 230-73.
When Washington (15-16) took a six-point lead with just over three minutes left in the third quarter, it appeared as if Byrd’s tenure might continue for at least one more game. But then Lane (21-13) went on a 9-0 run to take control.
A basket by Washington’s Andrea Anderson tied the game at 33-33 with 5:09 left in the fourth quarter. Lane sophomore point guard Tiffany Fairchild responded with her only basket of the game to give the Indians the lead for good with 4:36 left.
On Lane’s next possession Fairchild found Courtney Jones free underneath for Jones’ only basket of the game. After a Washington basket and a Lane free throw, Fairchild assisted on Sophia Fuentes’ basket to give Lane a 40-35 lead with 1:17 remaining.
Melissa Wegner led Lane with 14 points, including three three-pointers, and Liz Smith added 11. Nicole Hardin led Washington with 13 points, while Andrea Anderson added 12 points and Ashley Austin finished with 10.
In the first game at Crane, No. 7 Marshall hammered Northside Prep 70-21.
Marshall used a 36-0 run the take a 38-2 lead with three minutes left in the first half. Northside Prep (11-13) went 12 minutes 46 seconds without scoring a point and committed 23 of its 34 turnovers in the first half.
Lekisha Smith led Marshall (27-1) with 17 points while Lashona Grant and Precious Sheats added 15 and 10, respectively. Natalie Pedroza scored 10 points for Northside Prep.
Bob Skolnik.
At Robeson: Candis Jackson scored 21 of her game-high 28 points in the second half as Young pulled away from Simeon for a 71-42 win.
Jackson also contributed eight rebounds, eight steals and seven assists for the Dolphins (19-9), who led only 25-21 at halftime. Danielle Campbell added 17 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks.
Erin Bridges led Simeon (20-11) with 17 points.
In the other quarterfinal, Kristen Moore scored 19 points as No. 3 Hope topped Morgan Park 57-42. Brandy Dunham added 15 points for Hope (29-2), while Jennifer Leaks led Morgan Park (16-12) with 15.
