Holton, Elgin dump Rockets
There's something to be said for familiarity.
Now in her fourth season as Elgin High's girls basketball coach, Angie Hudson is working with a group of players who have all been in her system since they joined the program.
The improvement showed immediately Tuesday night when the Maroons held off Burlington Central 47-41 in a nonconference season opener for both teams at Chesbrough Field House.
Not only was it Hudson's first season-opening win at Elgin, it was also the Maroons' first season-opening win since the 2001-02 season.
"This is the first group I've had all four years," said Hudson, whose team struggled to a 1-25 season a year ago. "They've known me since they were freshmen and they know what to expect."
Senior Ellen Holton, who missed a large part of last season with a jaw injury, made her presence felt with a game and career-high 26 points. She also had 12 rebounds, 8 of them off the offensive glass.
"It's a good feeling," Holton said of the win. "I just really wanted us all to get out there and win. We all worked together and showed what we can do. We've been working hard and I'm glad it showed."
Burlington Central, playing without senior Molly Turk who is resting her sore back from volleyball, led 27-25 after a Taylor Colby basket with 1:17 left in the third quarter when the Maroons went on a 10-0 run to grab a 39-27 lead early in the fourth quarter.
But the Rockets jumped back into the game as junior Jordan Maisto hit 2 free throws then consecutive 3-pointers to make it a 39-35 game with 5:29 to play. Elgin senior guard Caris Alan then struck for a 3-point play and Elgin was able to hold off the Rockets down the stretch.
"(Holton) had her way with us," said BC coach Wade Maisto. "We had too many turnovers (26). We need to be stronger with the ball. Our defense was good but we gave them too many second shots. I've got kids who haven't played this level and it's more physical. I'm happy with some of the stuff we did but we need to get stronger with the basketball. We'll get better. We will get better."
Hudson was more than pleased to see the way Holton dominated the paint, but she knows her team will have to shoot better as opponents pack their defenses against Holton down the road. The Maroons were 18-of-51 from the floor Tuesday.
"She played real well tonight," Hudson said of Holton, a Tusculum College recruit. "They had a hard time stopping her. But we need to work with our guards. They've been shooting real well in practice and we know people are going to double and triple-team Ellen so our guards are going to have to shoot better.
"But this win is a huge confidence boost for us. Now they know what it feels like to win."
Alan added 11 points and 3 assists for the Maroons while Jordan Maisto led the Rockets with 22 points, including five 3-pointers. Sophomore Alli Settanni had 10 points and 12 rebounds for Burlington.