Fourth quarter shooting woes lead to Maine East loss

By: Luke Drase

After losing their opening game of the season to Zion Benton, Maine East looked to bounce back against North Chicago at the Maine East thanksgiving tournament.

Through three quarters, it looked as though Maine East would pick up their first win of the season, but the Blue Demons would only manage to score one point in the fourth quarter, leading to a 32-29 win for North Chicago.

The first quarter was dominated by North Chicago. Maine East had trouble keeping possession of the ball which led to several easy baskets for North Chicago’s Heaven Knox, who had seven of her teams 11 first quarter points.

North Chicago would continue to hold a six point lead for much of the second quarter until Maine East’s Caralina Apostolou caught fire at the end of the half, sinking two free throws and hitting a deep three at the buzzer to pull Maine East within one at 19-18.

Apostolou would continue to lead the way for Maine East after the halftime break, hitting yet another three early in the fourth quarter to put the Demons for the first time at 21-18.

Baskets by Jackie Buczkowski and Colleen Oribello would add to the Maine East lead as they would enter the fourth quarter up 28-24.

Just like the start of the third quarter, Apostolou would get things going in the final frame with a free throw to give her 13 points on the evening, but unfortunately for the Demons, that would be the last time they would score in the contest.

North Chicago would finish the game on a 8-0 run, with most of their baskets off of turnovers and second chance opportunities.

Kayla Stephens scored the go ahead basket for North Chicago with over three minutes remaining, but Maine East were unable to answer, giving North Chicago the 32-29 win.

The Maine East Tournament will resume on Saturday morning, where Maine East will look to get their first win of the season morning against Riverside-Brookfield.