Graham's extra incentive sparks Wheaton North
Lauren Graham looked forward to facing her AAU teammates from York.
She and Wheaton North played like it.
Fantasia Vine scored 20 points, Graham had 14 points and 6 rebounds and the No. 7 Falcons ripped No. 19 York 61-38 on Monday at the Hinsdale South Tip-Off Tournament.
Graham plays AAU with York standouts Mary Colon and Meryl Cripe on the Full Package Lady Lightning. She knew the challenge they presented.
“I think that gives me a little bit of an advantage,” Graham said. “I was determined to do the best I could. I know Mary likes to shoot the 3-point shot and can also take it to the basket. You need to be ready for anything facing her and anticipate it.”
After surrendering 66 points in an opening-night loss to Neuqua Valley, Wheaton North's defense has firmed up its last two games.
The Falcons (2-1) never let a capable York offense get started.
York shot just 5 of 24 in the first half, as Wheaton North took a 25-19 lead into the intermission.
Wheaton North opened things up with a 9-0 run to start the third quarter. Sydney Sharkey hit a 3-pointer on a feed from Vine, Maddie Baillie drained a pull-up jumper and AK Feltes converted a 3-point play off a Vine pass.
“I think that Neuqua game was an eye-opener,” Wheaton North coach Dave Eaton said. “That was probably the best thing that could happen to us. Now the girls understand the importance of every single game. Tonight we were ready to go.”
Graham said the unselfish basketball is contagious on this team.
“We definitely love to pass to each other and make each other look good,” said Graham, who assisted on Feltes and Jaquala Hillman baskets in the first half. “We're a family and we love to play together.”
Colon had 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Cripe added 6 points for York (1-2).
Even when the Dukes had open looks against Wheaton North's defense, the ball wasn't dropping. Colon made just 3 of 13 field goals and Cripe misfired on her first 8 attempts.
“That's been the theme our last two games is we have faced a level of pressure that obviously we haven't faced yet this season,” said York coach Jason Reinecke, whose team lost to Neuqua Valley on Saturday. “We need to emulate that intensity in practice so we are ready for game situations.
“The breaks aren't going our way, but you make your own breaks. We have to get back to work tomorrow. I have full confidence in these girls that we can right the ship.”
Feltes, also an AAU teammate of the York girls, added 12 points and 8 rebounds for Wheaton North.
Still leading 47-35 a minute into the fourth quarter, Vine put away York for good with a personal 8-0 run.
“I know some of the kids were nervous because they play together so much and know each other's game,” Eaton said. “It was about who was going to hang in there the longest. I was happy with our kids in the second half.”