Timothy earns spot in sectional final opposite Driscoll
Sixteen minutes of great basketball proved to be plenty for Timothy Christian's girls team in Monday's 48-35 win over Holy Trinity.
But while the first-half effort was enough to advance the Trojans into the Class 2A Lisle sectional final, it wasn't enough for the Trojans themselves.
To win the program's ninth sectional title and first since 2003, they know they'll need a 32-minute effort in Thursday's final against powerful Driscoll.
"We didn't play as well as we could have," said Trojans senior Meghan Leach. "We need to come out stronger on Thursday. It wasn't a very good win. We need to show up for Thursday's game. Otherwise it's going to be real ugly."
The first half was a thing of beauty. Holy Trinity (13-12) scored the game's first basket and tied it at 4-4, but then the Trojans (17-10) rattled off 13 straight points to close the first quarter. Leach scored 9 of her 12 points in the frame.
Timothy Christian built a 26-9 lead before taking a 26-12 advantage to the half. Holy Trinity finally got its offense going in the second half, pulling within 7 points after a 7-0 run started the third quarter.
Kelsey Kaczynski, who had 9 points off the bench, tallied the first 6 points of the fourth quarter as the Trojans held their biggest lead of 44-25.
The Tigers rallied behind their pressure defense. A 10-0 run sliced the deficit in half, but Timothy Christian regained its composure and closed out the win.
Anneke Stremler scored 10 points for the Trojans while Shannon McNeil had 5 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocked shots and 7 assists. Raven Dillard paced Holy Trinity with 12 points before fouling out.
"We were on a high going into halftime," said Trojans coach Ryan DeKoekkoek. "And then we just kind of came out flat. But we'll take the win. A win's a win."
BOX SCORE
Timothy Christian 48, Holy Trinity 35
Timothy Christian - Dirske 3 1-2 7, McNeil 2 1-2 5, Leach 5 0-2 12, LeGrand 1 1-2 3, Stremler 4 2-4 10, Kaczynski 4 0-0 9, Couture 1 0-0 2, Dykema 0 0-0 0, Troxel 0 0-0 0, VanderWoude 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 5-12 48.
Holy Trinity - Mendez 0 0-0 0, Simpkins 1 0-0 2, Bryant 3 0-0 8, McPhearson 4 0-0 9, Dillard 5 2-2 12, Randle 0 0-0 0, Whitaker 2 0-0 4, McCants 0 0-0 0, Frazier 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 2-2 35.
Timothy Christian 12 9 12 10 -48
Holy Trinity 4 8 13 10 -35
3-point baskets: TC: Leach 2, Kaczynski; HT: Bryant 2, McPhearson.
Fouled out: HT: Dillard.