Fenwick has easy time with Dundee-Crown

Dundee-Crown girls basketball coach Michelle Russell had no unrealistic expectations heading into Saturday's opening round of the 27th Annual Charger Classic.

After all, Russell's Chargers had the unenviable task of facing five-time defending tournament champion Fenwick, which last week suffered its first loss, albeit without all-state standout Trish Liston, who will miss the tournament with mono.

"I just told them to play hard 100 percent of the time regardless of what the scoreboard said," said Russell of what she said to her team prior to Saturday's game. "I just wanted them to leave the gym knowing they gave it their all, and they did. They laid it out there and played really hard."

Fenwick (12-1) jumped out to a 23-6 lead after one quarter and led 44-12 at halftime before cruising to a 67-24 win.

Meredith Boardman led the Friars with 15 points and Danielle McGruder added 10.

Sophomore Ali Sanders scored 13 points to lead the Chargers (2-10).

"Ali Sanders came out looking to shoot and score," Russell said. "She had a nice game."

Russell said she's seeing some good signs from her young team.

"It's slow but they're making progress," she said. "I wish it was a little further along but the girls are playing hard and they're trying."

D-C will take on Evanston at 9:30 a.m. Monday, while Fenwick tangles with Fremd at 5 p.m. Fremd handed the Friars their first loss last week in the first game Liston, a Duke recruit, missed.