Geneva closes out undefated conference season
Over the past seven years, Geneva's girls basketball team has accomplished just about everything head coach Sarah Meadows could ask for.
In addition to capturing its first Class 4A state championship a year ago, the Vikings added a fourth-place state showing (2013-14) as well as 6 straight conference (10 overall) and 6 consecutive regional titles (9 in a row overall).
Geneva checked off another box during Saturday afternoon's 59-23 triumph over St. Charles East (13-13, 6-6) in St. Charles.
Sophomore Lindsay Blackmore came off the bench to score a game-high 15 points with 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots while senior guard Margaret Whitley added 11 points, 5 assists and 3 steals to help the Vikings (24-3) complete a 12-0 Upstate Eight Conference River Division season.
"It's exciting that we did that," said Whitley, a 4-year varsity veteran. "Coach Meadows said it in the locker room that it's the first time in seven years that Geneva has gone undefeated (in conference).
"It's an accomplishment that we wanted."
"We set that goal at the beginning of the year," said Meadows, who owns a remarkable 7-year record of 172-43 (. 800 winning percentage).
How dominant were the Vikings?
Geneva, which led 18-0 after the first quarter, also held the Saints scoreless throughout the entire third quarter while building an insurmountable 48-14 advantage.
"I didn't feel like we played great defense the first time we played them," Meadows said of last month's 58-39 win over the Saints. "We talked about that all week - how we wanted to play better defensively for all four quarters. Overall, it was a nice effort."
Blackmore, a 5-foot-11 guard-forward, scored 8 of her 13 first-half points in the second quarter.
"Lindsay played huge tonight," said Meadows. "Her strength is like night and day from last year. She plays a lot bigger than she looks. It's nice to see her make some baskets and it's good for her to have to guard Sara (Saints senior Rosenfeldt)."
Madison Mallory (7 points, 5 rebounds), Maddy Yelle (6 points), Brie Borkowicz (6 points) and Stephanie Hart (3 points, 7 rebounds) supported the Vikings' cause.
Rosenfeldt, who topped the 1,000-rebound mark for her career early in the third quarter, paced the Saints with 6 points and 9 rebounds while senior guard Nicole Jordan added 6 points.
Junior Emily Vitkus (5 points) finally got the Saints on the board with a 3-pointer early in the second quarter and ended an almost 10-minute, second-half scoring drought with a pair of free throws with 6:10 remaining.
"I thought our kids were a little intimidated," said Saints coach Aubree Schuett. "They're a great basketball team but I certainly don't think we gave our best effort today."
Both teams begin postseason play Tuesday night.
"I think we're ready," said Whitley, whose team faces either Glenbard North or Schaumburg Tuesday in Schaumburg.