Defense keys Neuqua Valley win over Lake Park
Thursday night's 54-42 win by the Neuqua Valley girls basketball team over visiting Lake Park was about the Wildcats' defense.
When it was running smoothly, Neuqua had the upper hand in the game. When it didn't, the Lancers made life interesting.
Case in point was the first quarter. A basket by Lake Park's Jordan Bradley with 3:45 remaining in the opening period put her team up 12-3.
The Lancers (8-10, 3-3 DuPage Valley Conference) shot 5 of 11 from the field during the first eight minutes. The Wildcats (11-4, 5-1) got their offense in gear after Bradley's bucket as they went on an 11-3 run to close out the quarter and trail just 15-14.
A big boost for the Wildcats during the period was junior Megan Keefer, who was second on the Neuqua scoresheet with 11 points which included three 3-point baskets in the opening quarter.
“When Lake Park got that first run, we looked at each other and said ‘defense',” Keefer said. “When our defense faded, Lake Park got the lead. When we were playing defense, we were in control of the game.”
Lake Park coach Brian Rupp said many things went well for the Lancers to start the game, but turnovers brought their downfall.
“We were patient. We passed well. We caught well and we executed our shots. But Neuqua held on to the ball better than we did. We had just 4 turnovers in the first half, but 15 for the game,” he said.
The lead went back and forth in the second quarter until Kai Moon, who scored a game-high 16 points, sank a 3-pointer with 1:41 until halftime followed a minute later by two free throws by Kelly Vonnahme to put Neuqua up 26-21. The Wildcats led at halftime 28-23.
Neuqua led by as much as 10 in the third quarter when Jada Harvey's short jumper put her team up 35-25. The Wildcats led at the end of three quarters 39-33.
A putback by Courtlyn Smith put Neuqua back up by double digits 45-34 with just more than five minutes remaining in the game and the Wildcats were on cruise control the rest of the way.
Carson Vance led the Lancers with 12 points. Bradley had 10 points.
“We're a young group and I thought the maturity of Myia (Starks), Kai (Moon) and Megan (Keefer) was crucial. I thought Courtlyn Smith played one of the best defensive games I've seen her play,” said Neuqua coach Mike Williams. “There are some growing pains. We're putting younger players in situations and hopefully by the end of the year they will be experienced.”