Kokenis points Red Devils past Hersey

Somebody get Toni Kokenis a cold drink and a cot. She earned a break.

Hinsdale Central's junior point guard - playing all 32 minutes - scored 25 points and dished out 7 assists in the Red Devils' 42-36 win over Hersey in Friday's Bill Neibch Falcon Classic semifinal at Wheaton North.

Whether by shot or assist, Kokenis accounted for 40 of Hinsdale Central's 42 points. This, while chasing around Hersey super sophomore Megan Rogowski at the other end.

"I think Toni's probably the best point guard in the state," Hinsdale Central coach Morgan Kasperek said. "Her vision is so good. (Rogowski) is a good player and they ran her off screens all night. Tonight Toni proved she's getting better everywhere."

Hinsdale Central (14-0) played without senior Madison Whitley, at home sick. Down a key player in a short rotation, Kokenis set the tone of the game early in scoring the Red Devils' first 7 points.

That included the play of the night, as Kokenis stole the ball, took it the other way, and while her body was parallel to the rim threw up a blind shot that somehow went off glass and in as she was fouled. She finished the three-point play to give Hinsdale Central the lead for good at 7-4.

"There were two defenders," Kokenis said, "and I tried to just split them. I got a step, they fouled me and I turned parallel. I spun it and it went in."

That kind of acceleration and athleticism didn't surprise Hersey senior Kelly Rogowski, who played with Kokenis over the summer on the Illinois Hustle. She had the unenviable task of guarding Kokenis Friday.

"She's just so quick," Rogowski said, "with her first step and changing speeds. She's a really good player. We tried. But she just flies."

Kokenis had no easy chore defensively. Megan Rogowski poured in 19 points, her jumper with 5:57 left in the game pulling Hersey (9-4) within 31-28. But Kokenis hit Katie Delaney with one of several pinpoint passes for a three-point play to push the lead back to six.

"It was a close game," Kelly Rogowski said, "but they're just so slow on offense, so patient. We like to play fast. It was frustrating."

Delaney had 8 points and 6 rebounds, and Kasperek lauded her for holding Hersey's Maddie Swan scoreless.

"I think Hersey's the best team we've played all year," Kasperek said, "and credit goes out to our defense. Katie did a phenomenal job in the post."

Hinsdale Central goes for its third straight tournament championship Saturday night against Waubonsie Valley.