Girls Basketball: Spear gives Lake Zurich ‘positive energy’

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Lake Zurich's Cathryne Spear grabs a rebound in front of Lake Forest's Gabby Perino during their Jan. 5 game. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 10, 2012 8:26AM

She’s one of Lake Zurich High School’s eight seniors, and she helped turn last season’s 12-19 team turn into a 19-9 squad a year later.

It’s Cathryne Spear, another cog in the wheel of the suddenly dangerous Bears girls basketball team.

“She gives us positive energy,” said LZ coach Chris Bennett. “She’s the eternal optimist. She’s a great athlete. She’s one of our captains.”

Senior Night was held at Lake Zurich Friday night. Those honored were Katherine Anderson, Maisie Cox, Renee Wojcik, Stephanie Schmid, Dori Darras, Christina Sandstedt, Gina Barbaglia and Spear.

And the Bears responded, as Darras scored 16 points and Schmid added 15 in a 55-30 romp over Lake Forest. Spear added 10 points.

Another senior playing well for the Bears is point guard Cox.

“That’s a four-year varsity kid,” Bennett said. “She really understands the game.”

Lake Zurich is the fifth seed in the Palatine Sectional and will host a regional.

“We are feeding on being the underdog,” Bennett said. “We are playing well. This is the impact of having seniors.”

That clearly was in evidence on Jan. 31. Lake Zurich had a game-winning shot from Anderson in a 44-42 win at Stevenson. In the process, the Bears broke an eight-game losing streak to the Patriots.

Revenge factor: It’s nice to have a regional at home. But also visiting Lake Zurich next week will be a Stevenson squad looking to avenge a painful loss. A win over Stevenson, and a previous victory over state power Fenwick, have given the Bears a great amount of confidence.

“I think everyone was surprised by the Fenwick game,” Bennett said. “We think we can play with any team in the sectional. There are 10 teams in the sectional who could win it.”

It’s been noted that despite a strong season, the Bears have had some problems playing on their home court. Lake Zurich finished 8-4 in NSC play this season, and all four of those losses came at home.

“We were 6-0 on the road,” Bennett said. “But we’ve still beaten Maine West and Fenwick at home.”

After Stevenson and Highland Park meet in Game 1 of the Lake Zurich Regional on Feb. 14, Lake Zurich will take its home floor against NSC Lake foe Mundelein.

“Mundelein can play with everybody,” Bennett said.

At Carmel

Kathleen Felicelli and Kayla Quinn, a couple of sophomores, lead the Corsairs in a win over Wauconda on Feb. 2.

The two players tallied 10 points each in a 53-27 nonconference win. Fellow sophomore Cassidy Kloss added seven points, while senior Sarah McHugh, junior Holly Sprow and sophomore Paige Gauthier scored six points each.

Saturday’s conference game didn’t go so well. A strong Marist team topped the host Corsairs 48-31. Felicelli led Carmel with eight points.