Freshmen lead Neuqua Valley to win in opener

With a pair of freshman starters along with two other newcomers to the starting lineup, Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams wasn't quite sure what to expect from Tuesday's season opener at Naperville North.

What he hoped for was a big dose of his team's trademark pressure defense and maybe some strong rebounding and a few 3-pointers along the way. Those hopes were more than fulfilled as the Wildcats used a 26-5 run to close out the first half on their way to a 68-42 win over the host Huskies.

Freshmen Becky Williford and Erica Jordan combined for 25 points in their varsity debuts, and Williams' daughters Brittany and Morgan Williams combined to put down five 3-pointers as Neuqua rolled.

"There was a lot of nervousness and anxiousness, but it's a nice, well-rounded team," the Wildcats coach said. "They're just fun to watch."

Naperville North committed 11 turnovers in the first quarter yet trailed just 11-10 as Kaelyn Witkowski and Colleen Warren each had a pair of baskets. After Witkowski opened the second quarter with a spinning drive to the basket, the Huskies led 12-11.

But 12 more turnovers in the second quarter did the hosts in as the Wildcats busted out to a 37-17 lead at the half. Jordan led the way with 12 points in the first half, but it was a team effort on defense and the boards that powered Neuqua to the win.

"It was exciting with this being my first game, but I was nervous at first," said Jordan, who added 3 steals and a blocked shot. "I settled down, probably late in the first quarter."

Naperville North, meanwhile, fought hard the entire contest but just couldn't overcome a disastrous second quarter. Haley Krentz tallied 10 of her 14 points in the second half, but Naperville North still found itself behind 54-28 after three quarters. Tracy Smith battled her way to 8 points and 9 boards for the Huskies.

"We have a very young team and we have a lot of girls we're forcing into big positions," Naperville North coach Jacquie Discipio said. "We've got a lot of fresh blood, and Neuqua is a very good program. This was a tough first test for us, but I do see a lot of positives."

Two of those positives are the team's two seniors - Witkowski and Krentz. They combined for 24 points and Krentz added 7 rebounds, but Discipio is counting on the pair to also contribute when it comes to intangibles this season. "We will look to them for more leadership and calmness," the Huskies coach said.

For the Wildcats Morgan Williams led the attack with 15 points and joined her two freshmen starters to give the team three players in double figures. Brittany Williams added 8 points and sophomore center McKenzie Hughes finished with 6 points and 2 steals.

"The first game is always nervous," Brittany Williams said. "But I think we handled it. Once we settled down and started running plays we were fine."