Girls Basketball: Hillcrest Holiday Classic seeds planted

Updated: December 5, 2011 5:50PM

Hillcrest coach John Maniatis never has shied away from a challenge.

Bull’s eyes don’t bother him much, either.

So when the votes came in and his Hawks were deemed the No. 1 seed in this year’s Hillcrest Holiday Classic ...

“We’ll embrace the challenge,” Maniatis said. “We have a solid team. It will be a matter of executing on both ends of the floor. It’s all about efficiency.”

The Hawks (6-0) head a Holiday Classic field that includes among the top four seeds Marist, Homewood-Flossmoor and Rich Central.

The three-day meet is to be held from Dec. 27 to 29, with the first two rounds scheduled for Day 1. Harlan and Simeon are new to the tournament. Tinley Park, Lockport, T.F. North, St. Ignatius, Stagg, Thornton, Rich South, Sandburg, Oak Forest and Thornwood are the other competing schools.

Step right up

When one of Homewood-Flossmoor’s regular starters took ill and missed a practice, coach Dana Noble inserted 5-foot-2 senior Danielle Woolfolk into the lineup for Thursday’s SouthWest Suburban crossover against Lincoln-Way North.

She couldn’t have stood taller.

Woolfolk was 4-of-5 from two-point range and 5-of-8 from three-point range, finishing with 26 points in the Vikings’ 65-53 win.

“It was just unbelievable shooting,” Noble said. “Her role on our team is a scorer. Her focus and determination is much improved from last year. I think she’s understanding the role of scorer that we want her to play on the team this year, and she’s doing a great job with that.”

Right at home

LaTondra Brooks isn’t have any trouble fitting in with her new Oak Lawn teammates. The sophomore guard scored 34 points in a 69-50 win Nov. 29 over Morton, breaking the school record of 32, previously held by Bridget Niemiec (2009-10) and Dor D’Martino (1982-83).

Brooks averaged 20 points per game last season as a freshman at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis.

“Obviously, she has been a great addition to our program,” Spartans coach Janet Haubenreiser said. “LaTondra is just a great young lady. When she needs to step up and take it herself she will, but otherwise she looks to pass and get others involved. She makes everyone on the floor a better player.”

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