Strong second half spells victory for Libertyville

THE SKINNY

Libertyville (6-6) continues to surge, despite losing five of its first six games to start the year. Its latest victim was Highland Park (4-8), whom the Wildcats knocked off by 17 Monday afternoon in the opening day of the Mundelein Holiday Classic tournament.

TURNING POINT

The Wildcats closed the game on a 14-0 fourth quarter run, turning what had been a 3-point lead into a blowout.

THE STAR

Juniors Mary Wilterdink (13 points, five rebounds) and Becky Deichl (10 points, nine boards) both had significant hands in the victory for the Wildcats. The duo combined to shoot 4-for-6 from the field in the second half and made all five of their foul shots combined during that same span.

BY THE NUMBERS

Remarkably, Libertyville made its first 19 free throws Monday before missing one midway through the fourth quarter. They finished 21-of-24 from the foul line. Senior Sarah Glazer (5-of-10 shooting, 4-for-4 from the foul line), meanwhile, notched a game-high 14 points and five rebounds for Highland Park.

QUOTABLE

“We did not adjust at all in the first half. We played mentally weak and physically weak. At halftime, we left it up to them (our girls) if they were gonna come out and change it. And they did.” — Libertyville coach Greg Pedersen