Warriors wrap it up in 3rd

You always want to play four good quarters of basketball.

Maine West girls basketball coach Derril Kipp acknowledged his team did not Friday night in Skokie.

"We played one quarter," said the Hall of Fame coach.

On this night, that was enough.

The Warriors were hustling up and down the floor in the third period just like the Christmas shoppers across the street at the Old Orchard mall.

After nursing a 16-13 lead at half, Maine West outscored host Niles North 23-10 in the third quarter en route to a 50-26 victory in the Central Suburban North contest.

"We started fast-breaking more," said Warriors senior Colleen Vana, who dished off 6 assists. "We got the ball up the floor quicker and we were taking the open shots."

Senior Mary Kusner led a balanced attack for the Warriors (9-2, 3-1) with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Frontline partner Brittany Begrowicz added 11 points and 7 rebounds.

Erin Baumstark chipped in 9 while Samantha Acosta added 8 with a pair of 3-pointers.

Breannah Ranger, a 6-foot-2 junior forward, led the Vikings (1-8, 1-4) with 11 points.

"We had to shoot-fake more," Baumstark said of third-quarter surge. "We had to be more patient and have confidence in ourselves. It really just came down to teamwork."

Niles North first-year coach Dan Paxson said his team's 15 turnovers were a season-low.

"But we struggled with them in the third quarter," he said. "We took better care of the ball in the first half. Sometimes we hurt ourselves."

Maine West had just 1 turnover in the second half after committing 7 in the first.

"They take care of the basketball," Paxson said. "Maine West moves the ball well and plays with patience. They cut hard and play hard. They're a good team."

Kipp and the Warriors are hoping they are a better team Tuesday in Park Ridge when they face Maine South.

"It's a big rivalry," Baumstark said. "We get pumped up for that game. We know we have a really good team this year and we match up well with them. It would help us with seedings and a win would also give us the boost we need."

"We've got to play like we did in the third quarter the whole game (against Maine South."

"We'll have to use our height advantage (against Maine South)," Vana added. "They've got some good shooters we must stop. And we have to get the ball inside and score."

Begrowicz and Kusner usually have those roles.

"I thought Brittany played well (Friday night)," added Kipp, who notched career win No. 658. "She played about three quarters. That's not bad. She is still getting her feet wet (after ACL surgery in July)."