Geneva blitzes Downers Grove North early
A fast start can do wonders for any team.
Geneva used a 22-10 first-quarter surge to its benefit during Tuesday night's 56-41 victory over Downers Grove North at the 19th annual Glenbard East/Rachel Bach Tournament in Lombard.
Senior forwards Janie McCloughan and Abby Novak fueled a 15-0 run as the Vikings (3-0) turned a 7-7 deadlock into a 22-7 advantage before the Trojans' Lauren Porcelli beat the buzzer with a 3-pointer.
"Our coach preaches getting out right from the start," said McCloughan, who scored a game-high 17 points. "It's very important for us."
McCloughan had 8 of her points in the opening quarter while Novak added 5 points and 6-2 sophomore center Grace Loberg had 4 points and assisted on Kate Rogers' 15-foot jumper to cap the Vikings' 15-0 surge.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Rogers and freshman guard Margaret Whitley upped the Vikings' lead to 28-10 midway through the second quarter but the Trojans (2-1) closed the half with 9 unanswered points to pull within single digits at 28-19.
"We've done that twice now," said Vikings coach Sarah Meadows. "Last night (48-30 win against Andrew), we lost three of the four quarters but our lead was so big in the first quarter that we were fine. That second quarter is killing us though."
Geneva answered the bell in the second half, scoring the first 10 points to build a 38-19 advantage. McCloughan supplied half of the points during the early assault while freshman Stephanie Hart connected on a 3-pointer to cap the run.
The lead remained at double digits the rest of the way, as the Vikings canned 16 of 20 second-half free throws to help preserve the victory.
"Tonight is the first night that we've been there as much as want to be there," Meadows said of her team's 17-4 edge at the foul line.
Novak, who finished with 12 points, connected on 8 of 10 free throws.
"It's her time," said Meadows. "That's what she's got to do. She did a great job."
The Vikings also took care of the basketball, committing just 8 turnovers despite fielding somewhat inexperienced guards Courtney Reynolds (6 points), Ashley Shogren, Hart and Whitley.
"I thought they did a nice job," said Meadows. "I feel like in years past we've had flashy guards with Michaela Loebel, Taylor Whitley and Kat Yelle. These kids are solid, controlled guards. They're not too flashy - they just get the job done. That's exactly what we want."
With the win, Geneva earned a berth in Wednesday night's tournament championship against Glenbard South.
"Since I've been on varsity a couple years now, we haven't even been to the championship game," said McCloughan. "We're excited."
Junior guard Jaida Green and senior forward Peyton Winters led the Trojans with 16 and 10 points, respectively.
"You can't spot a good team like Geneva 12 points right off the bat," said Downers Grove North coach Stephan Bolt.
"This is a great matchup for us at this point in the season to see where we are. It's only going to make us better."