Balanced Batavia wins title; Saints notch their 1st victory
In the three years Tim DeBruycker has coached the Batavia girls basketball team, they never started the season 3-0 -- until this year.
The Bulldogs remained undefeated and won IMSA and Aurora Christian's Hoops Happenings tournament after beating Earlville 52-37 on Saturday.
"It's definitely a good start," DeBruycker said. "I was happy they went out there and did what they needed to do."
The Bulldogs gained a 10-point lead at the break and outscored Earlville 14-6 in the third.
Not one Bulldog reached double-digits, as Kara Lydon and Sara Fruendt led the way with 9 points apiece, followed by Natalie Tarter with 8 points.
"It's nice to see a balance," DeBruycker said.
Batavia is also 3-for-3 in scoring 50 points or more a game, which was one of its goals at the start of the season.
St. Charles East 35, Rockford Boylan 34:ŒAt the Schaumburg tournament, St. Charles East finally broke through with a 35-34 win over Boylan.
The Saints (1-2) were able to hold off a Boylan charge in the last minute where a 3-pointer erased their 6-point advantage.
But in Boylan's final charge to the basket, the Saints guarded the perimeter in exchange for an inside layup and the 1-point win.
"The weekend's going to be a lot nicer now. We needed that," said St. Charles East coach Lori Drumtra of the win. "We came from behind and played with a lot of poise at the end. I was pleased with how they played.
"They controlled the ball at the end of the game. We executed when it was crucial. It was a good win for us."
Lexi Baltes led the Saints with 12 points while Shannon Kennedy pitched in 7.
-- Bill Swick
Women's basketball
St. Mary's 83, Aurora 47: The Spartans dropped the consolation game in the Wheaton Classic. Kim Voiles scored 10 points and Jessica Mason grabbed 6 rebounds for Aurora (0-2). Wheaton won the championship with a 63-56 win over UW-Platteville.