Smith, N. Stars glad to finally beat Waubonsie Valley
Over the course of her memorable four-year varsity career, St. Charles North senior Kelsey Smith had never been part of a victory over Waubonsie Valley.
That is, until Friday night.
The 6-foot-4, Michigan State-bound center recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds to go with 3 blocked shots, a pair of assists and a steal during the North Stars' 46-35 Upstate Eight Conference girls basketball win over Waubonsie Valley (15-8, 5-3) in St. Charles.
"Finally," said Smith, who tallied 10 first-half points to help provide the North Stars (19-8, 8-1) with a 28-12 halftime advantage. "We've been saying forever, 'Let's beat Waubonsie, let's beat Waubonsie.'
"Two years ago, we lost to them on a last-second shot, and last year we really didn't play too well against them. So I think it's definitely a big win for us. It's really special."
The North Stars took it to the Warriors from the outset, opening a 15-5 first-quarter lead thanks to balanced scoring and impressive defense. Senior guard Anna Conrad scored 5 of her 8 points in the first quarter, while junior point guard Kiley Hackbarth (11 points, 5 assists) and junior forward Jenna Bell (8 points, 6 rebounds) each added 4 points.
Led by freshman Keiera Ray (12 points, 8 rebounds), Waubonsie Valley scored the first 3 points of the second quarter to trim the deficit to 15-8 before the North Stars went on a 13-0 tear, fueled by Smith's 8-point period.
St. Charles North led 28-12 at halftime, limiting the Warriors to 21 percent shooting from the field.
"It was nice to see us come out strong," said North Stars coach Katie Sauber. "Defensively, we did a nice job. We were able to help and we got on the boards. We didn't give them many opportunities at all."
Waubonsie outscored St. Charles North 14-10 in the third quarter and narrowed the deficit to 9 on three occasions in the fourth quarter but to no avail.
"We didn't show up in the first half," said Warriors coach Kris Kalivas. "You can't afford to do that at this point of the season and against a team like St. Charles North.
"I thought we played a great second half and got ourselves back in the game but that's a little too late. You've got to put four quarters together."
Another thing that hurt the Warriors' comeback bid was the loss of Ray, who suffered a knee injury midway through the third quarter and was unable to return.
"She's been a force on the floor for us," said Kalivas. "When she's not on the court, we're missing another key element."
Rachel Bostick added 12 points for Waubonsie, which misfired on all 9 of its 3-point attempts. Conrad, who hit a pair of 3-pointers, added 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the North Stars, who close regular-season play at home Wednesday against Bartlett.
"You can see that her confidence level has been lifted," Sauber said of Conrad. "I think every single player on our team is a key, but she hasn't been a four-year starter for nothing.
"I think the puzzle pieces are fitting right now and that's what we need, especially going into the regionals in another week and a half."