Girls Basketball medieval classic: 5th straight title for L-W East, fourth straight over L-W North
By Tim O’Brien For Sun-Times Media December 29, 2012 11:40PM
Lincoln-Way East's Kara Krolicki keeps the ball away from Lincoln-Way North's Leigh Larocco during Saturday night's final at East. photo for Sun-Times Media by Jean Lachat
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Updated: February 28, 2013 3:21AM
Like most bench players, Lincoln-Way East’s Dana O’Grady would rather be starting.
Off the bench or in the starting lineup, the senior intends to make the most of her time on the court.
With East leading scorer Meaghan McMahon sitting with foul trouble, O’Grady and East’s supporting cast stepped up in Saturday’s Medieval Classic championship game as the host Griffins took down rival Lincoln-Way North 57-46.
“I have to come off the bench with a spark to start the defense,” O’Grady said. “We need that defensive spark to help our shots start falling. When I go in, I want to go.”
The tournament MVP, McMahon still managed a game-high 16 points, 12 in the first half, with Kara Krolicki (15 points), O’Grady (10) and Marissa DeGroot (6 points, 11 rebounds) contributing for East (12-1).
The tourney title was the fifth in a row for East, and the fourth straight over North.
McMahon picked up her third foul seconds into the third quarter, prompting O’Grady’s entrance with a 22-21 deficit. The senior guard made the most of her appearance, drilling two three-pointers and a midrange jumper in the third.
“My defense usually starts up my game,” O’Grady said. “Once I get going defensively, I can knock down my shots.”
Held to just three points through three quarters, Krolicki exploded for 12 in the fourth quarter alone including two three-pointers that helped East blow open the game.
The Griffins outscored North 22-12 in the fourth.
“We’re close off the court as a team, and that helps when we step on the court,” Krolicki said. “With Meaghan going down with fouls, we definitely knew we had to pick her up.”
Sam Pietruszynski led Lincoln-Way North (14-2) with 15 points with Valen Manns (13) and Ellen Graham (10) contributing. The Phoenix finished 19-of-45 from the floor.
“East did a good job matching up and taking away some things we like to do,” North coach Jim Nair said. “We were a little out of rhythm offensively, and defensively, they hit some shots.”
