Geneva hits 17 3-pointers in win over Yorkville

Less than 24 hours after its 58-39 victory over St. Charles East, Geneva's girls basketball team was back at it during a rare Saturday afternoon game against Yorkville.

Fatigue was not a factor.

Led by senior guard Margaret Whitley's dazzling 8 of 9 shooting from 3-point range, the Vikings (18-3) connected on 17 3-point baskets during their 78-32 nonconference triumph over host Yorkville (15-5).

The reported state record for 3s in a game is 22 by Galesburg in 2011.

"No, not at all," said Whitley in response to her team showing any sign of weariness on the second half of back-to-back games. "We were there. We got to school early and got some shots up before coming over here."

After misfiring on her first 3-point attempt, Whitley quickly found her rhythm, making 8 consecutive shots from beyond the arc before enjoying a well-earned rest throughout the fourth quarter.

By that point, the Vikings owned a comfortable 65-28 advantage.

"I felt good," said Whitley, who experienced somewhat of a shooting slump last weekend when the Vikings lost 2 straight. "I guess I was overthinking the shots. As soon as I stopped thinking about it, I kind of just let it fly and had fun with it."

Clinging to a 7-6 lead midway through the opening quarter, the Vikings closed out the period with a 13-2 run to extend their lead to 20-8.

The surge included 3-pointers from Whitley and Madison Mallory (10 points, 8 rebounds) and layups by Stephanie Hart (8 points, 4 assists) and Lindsay Blackmore (4 points, 7 rebounds).

Geneva outscored Yorkville 9-0 late in the second quarter to build a 42-22 halftime lead.

Whitley knocked down three more 3-pointers in the second quarter, including a couple from nearly the same spot on the floor.

"She had one in the first half from four or five feet beyond the arc," said Yorkville coach Kim Wensits.

"There were some (3-pointers) where we messed up on defense and gave them wide-open looks but there were a lot of them where we played our defense and contested the shot yet they still made them."

Whitley delivered three more 3-pointers during the Vikings' 23-6 third-quarter blitz.

"She's a shooter," said Geneva coach Sarah Meadows. "She has such a quick release that it's hard to guard her."

Senior teammate Maddy Yelle scored 9 of her 16 points in the third quarter as the Vikings' full-court pressure gave the Foxes fits.

"Today is honestly the best defense we've played with the pressure," said Yelle. "We pressured them close to the baseline and we had good rotation."

Yelle, who usually draws the toughest defensive assignment on opponents, has provided the Vikings with additional offense this season.

"She's a tough kid," said Meadows. "She brings a touch of athletic ability that is hard to match. She shows that every night."

Juniors Jenna Segebrecht (2), Cassidy Navigato and Emma Davine added fourth-quarter 3-pointers for the Vikings.

Geneva finished 17 of 33 (51 percent) from beyond the arc.

"I'm not sure if it's a team record," said Meadows. "I've got to look it up."