Glenbard S. has no answer for Blue Blur
They've got the undefeated record. Thanksgiving and Christmas tournament titles. A 30-point average victory margin. A likely No. 1 seed next week when the Addison Trail sectional pairings are released.
All that's missing for the Geneva girls basketball team is a catchy nickname to match their flashy style.
Taylor and the Twin Towers?
Perfect Storm?
Blue Blur?
Gina's Gems?
Dream Team? (Has that been taken?)
OK, so the nickname needs some work. Geneva's game doesn't.
The Vikings made their 21st straight win look as easy as the first 20, cruising past Glenbard South 70-39 Friday night in Geneva.
Taylor Whitley led Geneva (21-0, 10-0) with 26 points, three more than Glenbard South (11-8, 6-3) had when Whitley left the game with 7:10 remaining.
"I think that was one of the most aggressive games from start to finish," the Indiana State-bound senior said. "We don't really ever talk about our record, we take it game by game. We're just competitive and just hate losing."
Whitley scored 11 points in the first quarter, which ended with the Vikings up 20-8. Lauren Wicinski grabbed all 12 of her rebounds in the first half, and Geneva took a 37-17 lead into the locker room.
The Raiders pressed Geneva more than the Vikings have seen most of this season. Guards Whitley, Emily Hinchman, Kat Yelle and Sam Scofield didn't make many mistakes while flying up and down the court for layups and short shots.
"We haven't seen that (press) too many times," Geneva coach Gina Nolan said. "We are blessed with a lot of quickness at guards and it's usually not easy for teams to stop us in the press. They caused some chaos for us, but I thought we broke it well a few times. That plays into our style of ball if we can get that 3 on 2, 2 on 1 we'll take that."
Yelle came alive in the third quarter, draining a pair of 3-pointers. Kelsey Augustine blocked 3 shots and agreed with Whitley about the physical nature.
"We play physical games but I think that got a little out of hand," Augustine said.
Myra Yelle's basket to start the fourth quarter gave the Vikings their biggest lead, 62-23. The Raiders outscored Geneva 16-8 to end the game.
"I wish we would have played with the tenacity in the first half we played with in the second half," Glenbard South coach Julie Fonda said. "You blink and they are down the floor. It's hard to guard that when they have so many threats who can handle the basketball. It's hard to match up with them."
Kat Yelle followed Whitley with 12 points. Wicinski and Hinchman both had 8.
Meghan Pipal and Maja Despot scored 9 to top Glenbard South.
"They are a great team," Fonda said. "Hands down they are the best team in our conference. Speed wise they are the best and most experienced team we play. They run the court very well. They are disciplined, well coached."