Schaumburg (16-1) streak screeches to a halt
Just when you thought Schaumburg might be the girls basketball version of the New England Patriots, Hinsdale Central forced them into playing more like this year's Miami Dolphins.
The Saxons' unbeaten string came to end Saturday night at the hands of once-beaten Hinsdale Central, 41-27, in the finals of the Bill Neibch Falcon Classic at Wheaton North.
The Red Devils (16-1) used a combination of stingy defense, patient offense and an unusually poor shooting performance by the Saxons (16-1).
And they did it right from the get-go. Sophomore forward Toni Kokenis scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the first quarter on 4-of-7 shooting, including a 3-pointer.
The Saxons never got closer than 6 after the first quarter -- and anytime they had a chance to get back in it, they misfired and misfired again on shots well-challenged by the Red Devils.
"That's the same defense we always play," said coach Steve Gross.
His girls didn't see it quite the same way.
"All five of their starters can score. We had to step up our defense," said Kokenis. "We had to fight around screens."
Schaumburg managed to slow her in the second half, thanks in particular to the defensive effort of Drewann Pancratz, but the Saxons never capitalized on the offensive end.
The Saxons forced more turnovers with their press, generated more high-percentage shots, and just more shots, period, but shot just 12 of 38 for the game.
Hinsdale Central shot a much more-patient 13-of-25 -- and controlled the boards.
Molly Kinsella (12 points) and Katie Delaney paced that effort,
Schaumburg's Gabby Blackwell had a good game around the basket (team-high 10 points).
"We had 52 possessions, we converted 12 times," said Saxons coach Bill Murmann. "I'm happy to get 52 possessions against a team like Hinsdale Central. We have to get more than 12 baskets. I want to give Hinsdale Central a lot of credit."
"I want another game," said Saxons senior Kylie Castans. "I think we didn't come out aggressive."
"They're upset," Murmann said of his players. "They're very upset and that's good. Through adversity comes growth."