Same old Red Devils
Morgan Kasperek didn't have to ponder long how Thursday's defensive performance rated.
"Well, second because I think that's about the second game I've coached," kidded the Hinsdale Central associate coach, following technically her third game running the team. "They played great tonight."
The Red Devils guarded with textbook precision in Glen Ellyn, beating host Glenbard West 48-25. It's nothing new for Hinsdale Central (9-0, 3-0 West Suburban Silver). The Red Devils have allowed just a shade under 26 points per game in beating all but one opponent by double digits.
"They just don't gamble," Glenbard West coach Mike Hofland said of Hinsdale Central's defense. "They know their roles, they contain the ballhandlers and they're in their spots. They don't have breakdowns on the ball."
Toni Kokenis led three Red Devils scoring in double figures with 13 points, and also dished out 5 assists. Madison Whitley added 12 points and Katie Delaney 10. Glenbard West (7-4, 3-1) trailed just 8-4 after a quarter and was down 16-9 with 4:35 left in the second quarter after a three-point play by Hilltoppers sophomore Bridget Flanagan.
But Hinsdale Central finished the half on a 7-0 run. Kokenis knocked down a 3-pointer, Lauren Franke scored on a putback and Kokenis found Delaney underneath the basket with four seconds left to make it 23-9 at the half.
"I thought the girls did a fantastic job of passing the ball and finding the open player tonight," Kasperek said. "The way that they were able to move the ball and find the open shooters was impressive."
"We were making the extra pass," Kokenis said. "No one was selfish."
Abbie Hastings scored 12 points and Cayla Herbst pulled down 8 rebounds for Glenbard West, which had won four games in a row coming in.
"We didn't play the basketball that we're capable of playing," Hofland said, "and that is what's disappointing. Hinsdale Central is good, but I thought we made them look a lot better than they really are. You play a good team like Hinsdale, you can really see your weaknesses."