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Shorthanded Wheaton North can't keep up

Wheaton North coach Dave Eaton always relishes playing at the Coach Kipp's Hoopsfest because it provides his team with a challenge.

But facing a quality opponent like New Trier without two key starters was not exactly the challenge he had in mind.

The Falcons played their first game since losing Division I prospect Nikki Baird and fellow guard Matti Zander to injury, and the result was not surprising.

Wheaton North scored only 2 points in each of the second and third quarters, and New Trier rolled to a 47-30 victory on Saturday at Willowbrook.

"It was hard but we had people step up and play their roles that they needed to," Wheaton North junior forward Sarah Topps said. "I think we played well on the defensive end.

"Our shots just weren't falling and that's what we needed the most."

That's exactly what the 6-foot-2 Baird usually provides. But the junior broke her wrist Jan. 6 against Waubonsie Valley, the same game in which Zander pulled a back muscle.

Baird is hoping to return in time for the playoffs, while Zander, who is unable to sit down and has had to stand in all her classes, could miss a couple more weeks.

"I know it's not easy on Matti and Nikki right now," Eaton said. "Today, I thought our kids did a great job figuring out that it's a different kind of team.

"I thought they did a good job, especially the second half, defensively. We didn't give up many points; we just had a hard time scoring points and I think that's just a sign of us not having those kids out there a lot."

Topps, a three-year varsity reserve, moved into the starting lineup as did senior Megan Odell, who made her first start. Odell tallied all 4 of her points in the first half, while Topps scored 5 points, all after halftime, to go with 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

"We had a bunch of kids who saw more time than normal," Eaton said. "I thought Megan did a great job.

"Aymia (Flowers) played some good minutes and Ellie Hubbard, a freshman, playing New Trier on a big stage did a good job."

Those efforts held New Trier (15-4) to 32 points through three quarters but did little to take the scoring burden off star senior Hannah Swider, who was pressured throughout by the Trevians.

Swider scored 8 of her game-high 15 points in the first quarter to keep the Falcons (12-5) within 18-10, but she finished 5 for 22 from the floor. The rest of the Falcons combined to make just two baskets.

Nicole Kaspi scored 11 of her 13 points in the first half for the Trevians, who also got 10 points from Cate Murdock and 8 from center Taite Ryan.

"We did good on transitions and Meg did really good," Topps said. "We just have to stay focused and our goal is to go 1-0 every game. We're keeping that one goal in mind and staying positive."

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