Crystal Lake South rolls over St. Edward
With 4 seniors who were on the varsity since freshman year, Crystal Lake South entered the 2009-2010 season with high expectations. Winning 20 games and claiming the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division seemed attainable goals.
But the Gators have struggled through the season, which began with a rash of injuries. With Class 4A postseason play 2 weeks away South, which reached a sectional final last season, hopes to refocus and be ready for another long run in tournament.
The Gators were at their best in posting a 70-49 win over St. Edward in a nonconference girls basketball game at South's Gator Alley Tuesday night.
"We want to win our last four games and have some momentum going into the regionals," said South coach Kyle McCaughn. "This was a good win and we hope to keep it going for the next three games."
Holding a 38-30 halftime lead, the Gators ambushed the unsuspecting Green Wave in the third quarter, outscoring their visitors from Elgin 27-1. Holding a 42-31 lead early in the third, South (14-11) scored the final 23 points of the quarter to seize control of the game.
During the pivotal run, the Gators made 11-of-13 shots including 8 layups for 84 percent. Michelle Gaede, Jenny Hanrahan and Katie Burton scored 6 points each as Crystal Lake South extended an 11-point lead to 34, 65-31, after three quarters. St. Edward was 0-of-10 from the floor and committed 9 turnovers in the third quarter.
"Coach was not happy with the way we played defense in the first half," said Gaede. "We gave up way too many points in the first half. We went from our passive man-to-man to our thumbs up man-to-man which is more aggressive and right in your face. "
The Gators, who had 33 baskets with 25 assists, were 33-of-55 from the field for 66 percent. Hanrahan led the Gators with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
"We played well together tonight and did a good job of finding the open man," said Hanrahan. "We want to win our last four games and enter the regionals with some confidence."
Gaede added 20 points with 5 assists, Burton scored 14 with 7 assists and Lauren Chrystal tallied 10 points, with 8 boards, 4 assists and 3 blocked shots. Alexandria Lee led the Green Wave (10-13) with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
"We dropped down early in the game, but we played well in the second quarter," said St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson, whose team begins the Class 2A postseason next week.
"The third quarter was a total bummer. We let them dictate tempo. We want to play good teams. We certainly found out the areas we need to work on."