Hersey hands Burlington Central its 2nd loss
On paper Hersey was expected to give underdog Burlington Central a test and also a defeat.
Once the Huskies — the Daily Herald's No. 4-ranked girls basketball team — regained its focus, the outcome was what most anticipated to see.
Aside from the difference in class level, the No. 11 Rockets were tagged with only their second loss of the year as Hersey posted a 52-40 victory in Saturday's last of eight games played at Willowbrook in the 26th Annual Subway Chicagoland Girls Prep Basketball Classic.
The Huskies improved to 17-3 and can now focus on finishing strong in the MSL East. Central will do the same in the Big Northern East while adding to a 14-2 ledger and looking forward to the postseason.
“This is a huge experience for us playing better as a result of playing teams of this quality,” Burlington Central coach Mark Smith said. “I thought we were a little winded but the credit goes to them. Once they got on a run, they kept going.”
In a match featuring 1,000-point standouts for both teams, Central's Samantha Pryor helped stun Hersey opening the game with a left corner baseline 3-pointer, a driving scoop shot, and a top of the key 3 for an 8-0 lead after three minutes.
“We knew they'd be tough and they certainly proved it at the start,” Hersey coach Mary Fendley said. “We didn't seem to pay attention at first. Coming off a tough win (Friday over Rolling Meadows), we had to get our legs under us. As the game progressed, I thought we wore them out physically and made sure they never got back in the game.”
Hersey managed to erase a pair of 8-point deficits to get to within 1 before Shelby Holt's spin move in the lane capped the first quarter with the Rockets up 12-9. Central was ahead 14-11 but one minute later the Huskies owned a 17-14 lead. After a 19-all tie, a Gina Miklasz 3 from the left wing ultimately led to a 27-21 intermission lead.
Central's Kayla Ross got upended, hit the floor hard and had to leave with a bloody nose which led to Kristina Ahlers stepping to the free throw line and making one to pull the Rockets to within 4, 30-26, but from that point on the game belonged to the Huskies.
Miklasz drained another of her trio of 3-pointers to put Hersey up 43-34 at the end of the third quarter and combined with Claire Gritt to gain a double-digit lead at the start of the final quarter. Gritt finished with 16 while Miklasz added 11 as did reserve Erin McGrath.
“Erin's one of those players who just gets to the right spots and does good things at the right time, maybe a basket, a rebound, or some free throws. She was a difference maker in the fourth quarter,” Fendley noted.
“Erin definitely doesn't get enough credit nor does our bench,” Miklasz said. “We don't focus on our personal points, but work to get everyone involved so that it really is a team effort.”
In addition to her 3-point touch, Miklasz added 5 rebounds and a game-high 4 assists in order to gain possession of “Evergreen,” the stuffed Husky dog the players choose to recognize a player that contributes more than just points.
“Our bench brings energy to every game and really gives us a lift,” Gritt added. “Getting to see teams we don't always face allows us to face new situations in order to play better defense or a different offense.”
For Burlington Central, Pryor once again led the way with a game-best 17 points, but the Rocket scoring dropped off to 8 apiece from Holt and Ahlers.
“Ahlers definitely was aggressive with her play, taking the ball to the hole,” Smith said. “No question they're a very good team and we hope tonight's experience will benefit us down the road.”