Barker, Dundee-Crown dump McHenry

A 3-pointer from deep in the left corner. A trey from the top of the key. A trifecta from 25 feet out.

Yes, Dundee-Crown senior guard Melissa Barker was sizzling from beyond the arc.

Barker, connecting on 5-of-7 shots from 3-point land, scored 21 points in leading the Chargers to a 56-44 win over host McHenry in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls basketball action Friday night.

"My teammates did a great job of getting me the ball in great position to score," said Barker. "I was really feeling it. I felt the ball was going in every time I shot. We had a very hard practice (Thursday) and we were ready. I am the only senior on the team so I have to be the leader on this team."

Barker ensured the Chargers (2-6, 1-0) would get off to a good start, connecting on 3 treys in the first quarter in scoring 14 points as D-C led 20-11 after one quarter of play.

"Melissa is such a pure shooter and she really helped us to get off to a great start," said Dundee-Crown coach Sarah Miller. "Our kids did a good a job of getting her the ball in good position to score. It was important that we came out strong to begin the game."

Dundee-Crown was hindered by 24 turnovers and 43 percent free throw shooting (9-of-21). The Chargers held their biggest lead of the game at 47-31 on a layup from Allison Michalski with 43 seconds left in the third quarter.

Backing Barker in the scoring column was Michalski with 12 points and 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Paige Gieseke, who re-aggravated a neck injury from a year ago, added 10 points with 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Miller believes Gieseke won't miss any games because of the injury.

The Dundee-Crown third-year coach was overall happy with her team's performance.

"I like the way we kept our composure and I like the way we were able to maintain the lead throughout the game," said Miller. "I like our pressure and our ability to force turnovers. We have to take care of the ball better and shoot free throws better. Those are things we will certainly work on. I give McHenry credit. They played hard for 32 minutes."

McHenry, which was plagued by 30 turnovers, were led by Liz Alsot with 18 points and 11 rebounds.