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Maine South holds off Evanston
Evanston's Gabrielle Nottage takes the shot during their game against Maine South in Park Ridge January 18, 2013. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
Updated: January 18, 2013 11:24PM
PARK RIDGE — The Maine South girls basketball team withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to defeat Evanston 39-38 Friday night.
Evanston (17-3 overall, 6-1 CSL South) trailed 37-29 after a basket by Maine South center Jacqui Grant with 5:11 left in the game.
But back came the Wildkits thanks mostly to the play of Sierra Clayborn, who scored a game-high 18 points (four 3-pointers).
The ball was in Clayborn’s hands as the clocked wound down from 10 seconds. She made a move in the lane and lost control of the ball with two seconds left. The loose ball was grabbed by the Hawks’ Hailey Schoneman to end the comeback bid.
“That was definitely a nerve-wracking game,” said Maine South senior Regan Carmichael, who scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds and added four assists. “But we kept our composure.”
“Our kids fought hard,” Evanston coach Elliot Whitefield said. “We got after it a little bit more at the end.”
Maine South (18-2, 5-2) built its fourth-quarter lead thanks in a large part to a 37-19 rebound advantage. Grant, who stands 6-foot-3, pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to go along with 12 points and four blocked shots.
Mackenzie Duffy scored 11 points for Maine South, while Evanston’s Alicia Cooley had eight points and eight rebounds.
The contest was close throughout with Maine South maintaining a 22-20 halftime lead and a 33-27 advantage after three quarters.
“When our top three players (Grant, Carmichael, Duffy) are playing well, we’re tough to beat,” Maine South coach Mark Smith said.
After the game, Schoneman was on crutches with a soft air cast on her left leg. She suffered the injury during the scramble for the loose ball she recovered at the end of the game. Plans were for her to get the knee X-rayed.
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper Thursday to read more about the Maine South girls basketball team.
Maine South 39, Evanston 38
Evanston (17-3, 6-1)
Gabrielle Nottage 1 0-0 2, Seara Clayborn 2 0-0 4, Dashae Shumate 2 0-0 4, Erin Boothe 1 0-0 2, Sierra Clayborn 6 2-2 18, Alicia Cooley 1 6-9 8, Maureen Kerr 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 8-11 38.
Maine South (18-2, 5-2)
Mackenzie Duffy 3 4-4 11, Regan Carmichael 3 5-7 11, Erin Kieny 1 0-0 3, Jacqui Grant 5 1-2, 12, Hailey Schoneman 1 0-2 2, Emilie McGuire 0 0-0 0, Katherine Miles 0 0-0 0, Claire Raphael 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 10-15 39.
Evanston 11-9-7-11 — 38
Maine South 8-14-11-6 — 39
3-point goals — Evanston 4 (Sierra Clayborn 4), Maine South 3 (Jacqui Grant, Erin Kieny, Mackenzie Duffy).
