Cole, Smith help carry Cary-Grove past PR

Posted December 05, 2007 10:00 pm

By Dave Hess Daily Herald Correspondent

Sure, Jill Cole would like to be in the starting lineup.

But the Cary-Grove senior has accepted her role coming off the bench.

Cole produced 11 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dealt out 3 assists to help lead the Trojans to a 63-47 win over Prairie Ridge in a Fox Valley Conference girls basketball crossover game in Crystal Lake Wednesday night.

"I don't mind not starting," said Cole. "I can start the game on the bench and get a feel for what is going on in the game. I just have to be ready for every opportunity."

Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert likes the energy Cole brings into a game.

"Jill is a force to deal with when she comes in a game," said Saffert. "She is a rebounding machine and she did a great job when she came in tonight."

Cary-Grove (5-1), which never trailed, scored the first 7 points of the game. Jamie Kuhl scored a layup off a perfect pass from Tori Sandstrom, followed by a long 3 pointer by freshman Meg Straumann and a layup from Danielle Smith off a feed from Kuhl.

With 5:07 left in the first quarter, the Trojans held a 7-point advantage.

Prairie Ridge's first points came on a putback from sub Emily Murphy with 4:34 left in the first quarter.

The Trojans' biggest lead of the first 16 minutes was 25-14 after a basket by sub Liz Bart with 2:11 left in the half.

Cary-Grove led 29-19 at intermission.

The Wolves (2-6) whittled away at the Trojan lead in the second half and got to within 43-38 after a 3-pointer by Mel Alexander with 4:47 left. PR couldn't get any closer.

Scoring 15 of its last 20 points from the free throw line, the Trojans were able to pull away for a 16-point win. Danielle Smith canned 5 free throws and Bart 3 as the Trojans sealed the win from the line.

Scoring 13 points in the second half, 8 in the third quarter, Smith paced the Trojans with 19 and Cole added 11.

Murphy paced the Wolves with 13 points and 6 boards.

"She is still recovering from injuries from the accident, but Emily played her best game of the season tonight," said Prairie Ridge coach Steve Rick. "I was very happy with the way she played. She played really hard and gave us a big boost off the bench."

Shannon Hennelly added 8 for PR with two 3-pointers.

"We responded after a slow start and played a good game," said Rick. "I was pleased with the effort. Cary-Grove showed why they are considered the best team in the conference. They are very quick and they knocked down free throws at the end of the game when it counted."