Straumann, C-G dump Chargers
With tremendous poise and without any fear, Cary-Grove point guard Meg Straumann doesn't perform like a freshman.
Straumann's 13 points, 5 assists and 3 steals led the Trojans to a 54-43 win over Dundee-Crown in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls basketball game in Cary Saturday night.
"The seniors have really helped me," said Straumann. "I get a little nervous sometimes, but the seniors settle me down. I just try to control the game and get the ball to the open player. I feel very comfortable on the floor right now. It is an amazing experience to be playing on the varsity as a freshman."
Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert is impressed with Straumann's play.
"She has great maturity for a freshman," said Saffert. "I saw her play last spring in the CBA and thought she could play at the varsity level. She is all basketball and she is like having another senior on the floor."
The Trojans busted open a close game during the final 3 minutes, 38 seconds of the first half.
Kate Leigh-Pilson's putback brought D-C (8-10, 1-1) to within 19-15 with 3:58 remaining in the second quarter. Those would be the last points the Chargers would score in the half.
The Trojans (15-3, 2-0), who scored the final 16 points of the half, made 7 of 9 shots for 77 percent during the pivotal run.
Cary-Grove, which forced 6 turnovers and converted 5 into layups, got 8 points from sophomore Liz Bart, which included a pair of 3-pointers, while freshman Claire Jakubicek tallied 7 points. The Trojans turned a 4-point lead to 20, 35-15, at halftime.
Cary-Grove outscored the Chargers 25-6 in the second quarter.
"That might be our best quarter this season," said Saffert. "We really upped the intensity level defensively in the second quarter and got some easy baskets off our press."
With Robyn Staudenmaier, Kathleen Collingbourne and Melissa Summaria canning 3-pointers, the Chargers scored the first 9 points of the second half to slice the Trojans lead to 11, 35-24 with 5:46 left in the third quarter.
The Chargers couldn't get any closer.
"That second quarter really hurt us," said Dundee-Crown coach Joe Komaromy. "They are very athletic and they got a lot of easy baskets from their press. I am proudest that the kids kept playing hard and never quit. We are learning to play at the next intensity level."
The Trojans' bench was again productive as Jill Cole scored 12 with 6 rebounds and Bart scored 8.
The lowlight for the Trojans was the injury to starting guard Tori Sandstrom. Sandstrom sprained her ankle as time elapsed in the third quarter. Her status for Tuesday's game at McHenry is unknown.
Collingbourne paced the Chargers with 12 points which included three 3-pointers while Staudenmaier scored 10.
Chicago Christian 62, Westminster Christian 13: Westminster Christian (0-11, 0-5) lost to Private School League opponent Chicago Christian Saturday.
Sarah Rodgers led the Warriors with 5 points, while Katie Moeller contributed 4 points. Beth Kautz and Rachel Doby each finished with 2 points.
Elgin Academy 49, Willows Academy 48: The Elgin Academy Hilltoppers (8-12, 4-3) came out on top of Willows Academy during Independent School League action Saturday.
Alyssa Pena led all scorers with 15 points, while Bianca Swegler finished with 11 points. Allison Clark had 10, while Lauren Steimle had 9 points.
Bartlett 59, Larkin 34: Bartlett (6-14, 2-4) defeated Larkin (3-14, 1-4) during Upstate Eight Conference competition Saturday with a team effort. Alexa Tovella and Jacki Gulczynski each scored a game-high 12 points to lead the Hawks. Gulczynski also had 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocked shots.
Nicollete Gutzwiller had 9 points and 4 rebounds while Samantha Salinas and Becca Cronin each added 7 points. Salinas also finished with 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists for the Hawks.
Larkin was led by Jessica Harris, who scored a team-high 11 points. Jennifer Koch and Alyssa Burns each finished with 8 points for the Royals.
South Elgin 81, Elgin 59: The South Elgin Storm (10-10, 2-4) swept Elgin (0-19, 0-7) off its feet Saturday while competing in Upstate Eight Conference action.
Courtney Kumerow and Andrea Mastro led the Storm with 16 points apiece. Alexa Kruel finished with 10 points, while Genevieve Johnson finished with 8.
Caris Alan led all scorers for the Maroons, finishing with a career-high 30 points.
CL South 48, Jacobs 40: Crystal Lake South (14-5, 2-0) defeated Jacobs (9-8, 0-2) in Valley Division action of the Fox Valley Conference.
Michelle Gaede led the Gators with 13 points, while Jenny Hanrahan contributed 10 points. Carly Juliano and Caitlin Mize each scored 8 points for Crystal Lake South.
Jacobs was led by Markie Rahn, who scored a game-high 18 points.
Prairie Ridge 50, Grayslake North 36: Prairie Ridge (8-11, 2-0) overpowered Grayslake North during Fox Division action of the Fox Valley Conference.
The Wolves were led by Anna Patras, who scored a game-high 18 points. Shannon Hennelly finished with 13 points.
Johnsburg 50, Huntley 46: Johnsburg barely squeezed by Huntley (10-8, 0-2) during Fox Division action of the Fox Valley Conference Saturday.
Megan Martinez led the Red Raiders with 11 points. Martinez also finished with 4 rebounds and 3 steals, while Katie Bergquist finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Daisy Jara added 6 points.