Defensive gem helps Lions past Loyd, Niles W.
Mandy Kompanowski faced an extremely difficult assignment Saturday in the championship game of the St. Viator Snowflake Classic.
The 5-foot-4 Lions senior guard was on the bench for the first 3 quarters, watching Niles West star freshman guard Jewell Loyd score 18 points in leading the Lady Wolves to a 31-30 lead.
Then St. Viator coach Paul Bjerkness told Kompanowski to report and start guarding Loyd.
"I was a little nervous," said Kompanowski, "but once I got in the game I felt good."
"Coach told me 'don't let her touch the ball,' and that's what I tried to do."
The senior passed her test with flying colors, limiting Loyd to only 2 fourth-quarter baskets and canning 2 clutch free throws with 30 seconds left as the Lions won their second consecutive Snowflake title 47-42.
"Mandy can really play defense," said Bjerkness. "I gave her a huge responsibility and she stepped up to the challenge."
"Our whole team did a great job on defense," added St. Viator guard Jamie Blenner.
The game was tied midway through the fourth quarter when fastbreak layups by Viator (12-4) guards Kelly Hendricks (7 points) and Susan Hohenadel (team-high 15 points) put the Lions up by 4.
Then after a 3-pointer by West guard Allie Guiang (7 points) brought the Lady Wolves to within 1, Kompanowski was fouled with half a minute left.
The senior cooly knocked down 2 free throws to give Viator some breathing room.
"I couldn't believe it (that I was at the line at that point)," said Kompanowski. "I just wanted to make them - that's what you practice for."
Free throws in the final seconds by Hohenadel - who was named tourney co-MVP along with Loyd) and Colleen Nolan (11 points) helped seal the win for St. Viator.
"Winning this tournament was one of our goals coming in to the season," said Hohenadel. "This is huge, especially because it came against one of the toughest teams we've played this year."
Loyd scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Blenner, a senior, pitched in with 7 points for the Lions.
Hendricks and Nolan, also seniors, were named to the all-tournament team.
"This is awesome," said Blenner. "This is my last Snowflake tournament, and it's great for myself and the other seniors to go out with a win."