Brownridge, Warriors step up
It's a good thing Waubonsie Valley's Lauren Brownridge takes her coach's advice to heart.
Going into Saturday afternoon's Upstate Eight Conference girls basketball game against rival Neuqua Valley, Warriors coach Kris Kalivas reminded her players to put Tuesday's one-sided loss to Hinsdale Central in the rearview mirror. According to Brownridge, Kalivas has also always told her players to be confident when they've got an open shot at the basket.
With less than five minutes remaining and the Warriors clinging to a 2-point lead, Brownridge found herself with an open look at a 3-point shot, so she went ahead and fired away. It wasn't a clean swish, but it counted for 3 big points and helped Waubonsie Valley hold off the Wildcats 51-44.
"Coach has always told us she has confidence in us and that when we have a good look to put up a shot," said Brownridge, who finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds. "I thought we needed to make something happen, so I thought putting up a 3 was a good thing."
She was right. With Jessica Morice out with an injury and with the inspired Wildcats (10-10, 2-3) pressuring Waubonsie Valley (18-2, 6-0) into 26 turnovers, pretty much every possession in the second half was critical and filled with intensity.
Neuqua Valley used a 13-8 advantage in the third quarter to take a 38-36 lead into the final eight minutes of play in a steamy gym that included the Waubonsie Valley band. Jenna Marsalli and Raquel Davis each put down big 3s for the Wildcats in the quarter.
But Brownridge's clutch 3 capped a 9-2 Warriors run to open the fourth quarter, and that proved to be the difference. The quarter opened with a pair of free throws from Waubonsie's Danielle Brown and was followed by a fastbreak bucket by Anna Gault off a turnover, and a layup by Brittany Upshaw off a nice pass from Brownridge.
"Tuesday was not a good performance by any means," Warriors coach Kris Kalivas said. "But we came out the next day and had a nice practice."
The practice seemed to carry over into Saturday's game, as Upshaw led a balanced attack with 11 points and was one of five players to score at least 8 points, including forward Rachel Bostick, who recorded 9 points and 10 rebounds. Gault, meanwhile, did not score in double figures but contributed mightily with 9 rebounds, 6 assists and helped pressure the Wildcats into 6 turnovers in the critical fourth quarter.
Despite the setback Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams came away with plenty of positives.
"I saw some great things today," he said. "Finally saw Neuqua Valley basketball. We're working toward regionals. Hopefully, by then we get it all clicking. Now we've got something to build on."
Viv Kindt led the Wildcats with 9 points while Katie Medvec and Mckenzie Hughes each grabbed a team-leading 7 rebounds.
"We want to win conference and this was just another obstacle," said Brownridge. "Plus after Tuesday, this was a great way to redeem ourselves."