Glenbrook South's Season Comes to End Against Maine South

NORTHFIELD — A strong first quarter wasn’t enough to keep Glenbrook South’s season alive, as the Titans fell 61-41 to the Maine South Hawks in a Class 4A Sectional Semifinal at New Trier’s Northfield campus on Tuesday.

Sidney Rogers, playing in her final high school game, hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter and Paige Simon knocked down another as the Titans led 16-12 after a period of play.

Things for the Titans fell apart in the second quarter when Maine South’s relentless, roving zone defense forced the Titans into 7 second-quarter turnovers before they made a bucket. Meegan Fahy, Ava Blagojevich and Katie Barker chased the Titans’ ball-handlers all around and beyond the 3-point arc, while the length of the Hawks’ defenders kept passes to the middle of the floor at a minimum.

“We really pressured them and they got frazzled with the ball,” Fahy said. “We forced them to turnover the ball. We made sure we never made them comfortable. We were always up in their grill. Sidney gave us trouble with driving but we made up for it with help and everything. I think we did a good job of adjusting in the second half.”

Blagojevich got scalding hot in the second period, hitting four 3-pointers, and Meegan Fahy hit the last two buckets of the first half, both from beyond the 3-point arc, as the Hawks ran away with the game.

“They shoot the ball really well, and any time they have a little bit of space, they’re hitting threes,” Glenbrook South coach Scott Nemecek said. “Our goal was to minimize that space as much as possible so it’s a credit to them… our whole plan was about taking away some of those 3’s.”

Gina Davorija and Anna Rosenberger (3 points apiece) were the only Titans to score in the second quarter. Davorija finished with 12 points. Paige Simon and Davorija had just come back from ankle trouble, while Chloe Gonzalez missed the last two games with an ankle injury.

Fahy scored 13 of her 16 in the first half, and Blagojevich scored 15 (all on 3’s). The Hawks hit 7 of their 11 3-pointers in the first half.

Ally Pape and Baker both hit 3-pointers in the third while the Titans stretched their lead. Pape scored 9 and Asia Kobylarczyk added 7.

Things were only slightly better for the Titans in the third quarter, as they scored 9 points with a pair of buckets apiece coming from Davorija and Anna Rosenberger.

The lead grew up to 21 In the fourth.

“We just needed to fight and I think we did that,” Rogers said. “Not going out with any regrets.”

Rogers (Washington University of St. Louis basketball commit), Anjali Nimmagada, and Amanda Karavites wrapped up their Titans careers.

In the final minutes, with Rogers checked out for the final time, she and the senior embraced their teammates. And when Hayden Joseph made her 3-point shot, the bench rose to their feet and roared their approval.

“It doesn’t really matter if your career is ending,” Rogers said. “You still got to support your team. That’s what I try to do no matter what. I always want the best for my teammates.”

Rogers finished with a team-high 13 points.

“Sidney Rogers is the real deal, as are Davorija and their other pieces,” Maine South coach Jeff Hamann said.

Rogers, having been on a Titans team that went 25-8 this year after consecutive seasons of 20-9, 3-10 and 12-19, has been part of a large turnaround.

“They’re all great girls,” Nemecek said of the senior class. “They’re such a pleasure to see in the hallways, at practice. No. 2 they’re outstanding students. They’re tremendous in the classroom. High GPAs, teachers love them to death. You’re lucky to have them as a coach.”

After departing the program, Rogers, Nimmagada and Karavites can look back next season at a group that has the potential to make a fun run in the CSL South once more.

“Gina her improvement this entire year has been incredible,” Rogers said. “I’m so excited to see how she plays next year with Anna, Chloe, Christina and everybody coming back.”