Alaina Peetz helps lead Lockport past Conant in Loyola Tourney

WILMETTE — The Lockport girls basketball team started the season strong, winning its first 13 games. Unfortunately for the Porters, they suffered a quick two-game losing streak last weekend, falling to Homewood-Flossmoor on Friday and Marist on Saturday.

They got a chance to put the losses behind them Monday, taking on Conant in the opening round of the Loyola Academy Christmas Tournament, though they had to do it without the services of Lucy and Sofia Hynes, leaving just eight players on the roster throughout the tourney, which concludes Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The Porters might not have a lot of players, but they had the right ones Monday as they broke open a close game late to secure a 48-36 win and advance to Thursday’s quarterfinals against Carmel Catholic. One of those was senior Alaina Peetz, who earned game MVP honors with her 13 points and six rebounds. It was especially satisfying for Peetz, who missed playing last season with a hip injury.

“We had to adjust as the game went on,” Peetz said. “We did a lot better later in the game. It was a good game for us to come back in the second half.

“It was hard to sit and watch the games last year, so it feels great to be back on the floor. I was still a captain last year, so I was at all the games and practices and spent all that time with everyone.”

All that time came in handy, especially in the first half when Peetz scored half of the Porters' 22 points, leading to a 22-21 halftime advantage.

Conant got back-to-back baskets by Lyla Clifton to start the third quarter and take a 25-22 lead. Lockport countered with an 11-0 run that saw five different players score. Evelyn Ingram (seven points) started the spurt with a basket before Peetz made a pair of free throws to put Lockport (14-2) ahead 26-25. Peetz then assisted on a basket by her sister, Katie, before Laura Aristikaitis (8 points) scored off an Alaina Peetz pass and Rowan McCarter followed with a 3-pointer for a 33-25 Porter lead. Lockport led 33-26 entering the fourth.

Conant was within 37-30 midway through the fourth before Aristikaitis hit a 3-pointer, followed by a basket by Addison Way (11 points) for a 42-30 edge. Conant cut the lead to 44-36, but Way scored the final two baskets of the game to provide the final score.

“This was definitely a team win,” Lockport coach Darien Jacobs said. “It had to be. With only eight players, everyone who got on the floor contributed and we needed that. That’s not a bad thing. These girls will be ready to get in there when the others come back.

“I thought Lexi Domjan did a great job off the bench tonight. She got her hands on a lot of passes, got some big rebounds and defended well. It’s also very nice to have Alaina back on the floor. With her effort and the stuff she can do, we need her out there.”