Wildcats not jittery this time in decisive victory
The last thing Wheeling's girls basketball team wanted Friday night against Resurrection was an encore presentation of its first half against Maine South a few days earlier, when the Wildcats fell behind 19-13.
"Three nights ago, we just didn't come out with a big bang," said junior guard Bianca Szafarowicz. "We had nothing going for us. This time, we wanted to come out and dominate from start to finish."
It's difficult to argue the state-ranked Wildcats did anything but in the first-round game of the Niles North tournament.
The defending Mid-Suburban League champs struck for a 15-0 lead in the first five minutes and never looked back en route to a 67-31 triumph over visiting Resurrection, which had given the Wildcats close encounters the last few years during the opening week of the season.
"Last year, they gave us one of our losses (28-4)," said Wildcats coach Shelly Wiegel. "We know they're well-coached (with veteran Kerry Durham) and they are pretty sound fundamentally. But we just played well. We had no letdowns and I really liked out intensity from all 14 girls."
Twelve of those 14 made it into the scoring column, led by Ashley Wilson (14 points), Szafarowicz (12) and Janelle Cannon (10).
"Almost everyone got to score for us," said Szafarowicz, a three-year starter. "One of our goals for this season is to have everyone score in a varsity game."
The Wildcats (2-0) scored from all directions Friday to grab the commanding 15-0 lead.
Wilson started things off by grabbing a long rebound and turning into a short bank shot for the 2-0 lead.
Among the other highlights were Cannon converting a steal into layup and Szafarowicz hitting a pair of free throws following a steal and pass by Bridgette Gray.
Wheeling reserves entered late in the first quarter. Junior Selma Smajlovic and freshman Kellie Kuzmanic were the first off the bench.
Smajlovic played on the sophomore team last season. But early on, she suffered an injury off the court.
"She had to rehab from some problems with her ankle," Wiegel said. "And she didn't get back until January of February. She really hustles. She's a smart player and very coachable. Kellie gave us good minutes off the bench, too."
Smajlovic scored her first varsity points when she made a pair of free throws and then hit a 3-pointer to give Wheeling a 27-5 lead with 3:59 left in the first half.
"Our starting five is amazing," Smajlovic said. "To go in and be a part of it with them is so much fun. I was so scared when I went in against Maine South. But I felt comfortable this game."
Wiegel liked how her girls approached Friday's game.
"They had a little bit of the nerves in the first half Tuesday," she said. "Then they felt more comfortable in the second half. And this game they were fine all the way. Selma and Kellie have both become comfortable in their roles."
The rebuilding Bandits were playing their first game. They were led by Candace Wrzesinski's 8 points.
"To Wheeling's credit, they are strong at every position," Durham said. "We graduated five seniors. This was our first time out and we're trying to rebuild. I told my team that it will go through growing pains. But we have to stay together and show our character."