Hinsdale Central meets its match with Marian

Defense has been a main staple to Hinsdale Central's 19-0 start this season.

The Red Devils were defenseless against Marian Catholic on Monday.

The Spartans had four girls score in double figures in a 65-57 win at the 19th Annual McDonald's Shootout at Willowbrook High School, handing Hinsdale Central its first loss.

Hinsdale Central (19-1) came in holding teams to 31.5 points per game. Prior to Monday, the most points the Red Devils had given up was 40.

"They took us middle, they took us baseline, they did what they wanted to do," Hinsdale Central coach Morgan Kasperek said, "and that's not what we pride ourselves on. A loss isn't the worst thing in the world. It shows you what you need to work on, and we have a lot to work on. That's the best team we've played for sure this year."

Marian Catholic's scoring leaders included two girls off the bench, Aubrey Sparrey with 14 and Emily Kobel 11. Notre Dame recruit Kaila Turner had 11, but the Spartans held off a late Hinsdale Central rally with Turner sidelined with four fouls.

"We have a lot more threats to score than most teams," Marian Catholic coach Annie Basic said.

Turner's driving layup as time expired in the first half gave Marian Catholic a 30-28 lead, and two Turner jumpers touched off a 10-0 Spartans run out of the break to push the lead to 40-28. Marian Catholic (18-3) shot a sizzling 9 of 11 in the third quarter.

Still down 10 seconds into the fourth quarter, Hinsdale Central made a charge behind Toni Kokenis. A Madison Whitley basket started things, and Kokenis knocked down 2 free throws and scored on a drive. A Kokenis steal and score cut the lead to 54-51 with 5:30 left.

But Marian Catholic sophomore Jasmine Matthews made three straight baskets with Turner on the bench to push the lead back to 60-52.

"They're very quick," Kokenis said, "and we weren't playing our angles very well. We allowed them to drive middle and baseline, and they could just dish. They're a great team. They are very deep."

Kokenis scored 25 points, the seventh time in the Red Devils' last nine games she's gone over 20 points, and added 5 assists and 3 steals. Whitley had 21 points and Adabelle Ekechukwu 7 points and 9 rebounds for Hinsdale Central, who gets another tough test at Fenwick Saturday.

"We have a tough few weeks coming up," Kokenis said. "It's good to get those tough games now. It will help us for our playoff run."