Fremd runs past Cary-Grove

Rarely are games decided in the first quarter.

This one was.

Outscoring Cary-Grove 20-10 in the first quarter, Fremd was able to use that quick start to cruise past the Trojans 56-33 in action at the Turkey Thriller girls basketball tournament in Cary Saturday morning.

Utilizing a stifling defense to create offense, Fremd (3-0) made 8-of-15 from the field during the first 8 minutes for 53 percent. Six of those baskets came on layups off turnovers. Haley Gorecki scored 11 points and Ashley McConnell tallied 4 as the visiting Vikings seized control of the game early.

“I liked the way we started the game with great intensity on the defensive end,” said Fremd coach Dave Yates. “We did a good job off getting the ball up court to get easy baskets. The good thing was we kept up the defensive intensity through the whole game.”

Trailing 30-18 at halftime, Cary-Grove (2-1) scored the first 4 points of the third quarter on a pair of baskets by Joslyn Nicholson to slice the deficit to 30-22 with 7 minutes left.

But the Trojans couldn’t get any closer as Fremd put the game on ice by scoring 10 unanswered points. During the crucial run, Gorecki and McConnell scored 4 points each as the Vikings turned an 8-point lead into a 40-22 advantage with 2:46 left in the third quarter.

Fremd’s biggest lead was 52-27 after a 3-pointer by Brianna Lewis with 4:12 left in the game.

Gorecki paced the Vikes with 15 points while McConnell scored 12 with a 3-pointer.

Kylie Smith came off the Trojan bench to lead the way with 12 points on 4 3-pointers.

“We didn’t play smart,” said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. “We would throw the ball in traffic without thinking. They are a very skilled team, but we didn’t play very well. I thought when we were down 12 at halftime we still had a chance. I told the kids we could chip away at the lead and get back in the game. We need to forget this game. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a big deal.”

Olivia Jakubicek, who was tripled teamed at times, made only 4-of-12 shots in scoring 11 points for the Trojans.

“We know she is a strong player and we wanted to make it difficult for her,” said Yates. “We wanted to limit her touches and everybody who we put on her did a great job.”