Smith's play powers South Elgin to win

After one quarter of play was through, South Elgin freshman guard Becca Smith was saying home sweet home.

By the end of eight minutes of play, Smith had already scored 12 points, tallied 5 steals and 4 assists and pulled down 4 rebounds in her first game on the South Elgin court, leading the Storm to a 61-46 nonconference victory over the Glenbard North Panthers in girls basketball action Monday night.

"I was pumped. The band was playing and it was out first home game," Smith said. "As soon as I heard the band I was pumped and ready to play."

Smith finished the game with 25 points, 8 steals, 7 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the Storm.

"She's pretty good," said Storm coach Tim Prendergast. "I've got her for four years which I'm really excited about."

The Storm (4-2) started the game with an 11-0 run with 7 points coming off Smith steals. South Elgin took a 24-3 lead into the second quarter.

However, foul trouble hurt the Storm as the Panthers (1-5) outscored South Elgin 17-8 in the second quarter thanks to the team going 9 of 11 at the free throw line with Amoni Reynolds going 5 of 6 and finishing the half with 9 points.

"We certainly wanted to work the post which helped draw some fouls," said Panthers coach John Chamberlain. "But we really dug ourselves a hole. But I was happy with how we shot from the line tonight."

The Panthers were able to cut the deficit to 10 at 36-26 after a Nicolette Rini basket early in the third quarter, but the Storm finished the quarter on a 12-5 run to take total command.

"They came back, and you have to give them credit," Prendergast said. "If they cut the deficit to single digits maybe they get some momentum."

Reynolds led the Panthers with 21 points and Brianna DiGioia added 8. Genevieve Johnson tallied 8 points in the fourth quarter to finish with 14 points for South Elgin and Cortney Kumerow added 8 for the Storm.