Ondik leads Naperville C. past DVC foe West Aurora
Naperville Central’s offense exploded for 36 first-half points, slowed the game down on both sides of the court and won 60-37 over West Aurora at home Thursday.
In pregame festivities Redhawks senior Emma Ondik was honored as the ninth player in team history to score 1,000 points, then she immediately lit up the scoreboard by hitting three straight 3-pointers.
According to Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum, Ondik has already moved up to No. 8 on school all-time scoring list after her 17-point performance Thursday.
“Ondik is so solid,” Nussbaum said. “You can tell she really runs the floor for us.”
Ondik proved she wasn’t just a threat from beyond the arc as she continually got to the free-throw line throughout the first half. She went a perfect 4 of 4 from the line as Naperville Central (5-3, 2-0) scored a hefty 21 first-quarter points.
“Offensively, I thought we were pretty good,” Nussbaum said. “Thirty-six points is a good half.”
West Aurora (0-7, 0-1) kept the game within reason after hitting consecutive 3-pointers by Taylor Jacobson and Dazmine Chaney to close out the first half. Chaney’s buzzer-beater came in a spectacular, off-balance fashion.
The Redhawks led 36-30 at halftime.
“We’re so young playing five freshmen (in the rotation),” said West Aurora coach Connie Siljendahl. “We’re missing little things, but each game we get better and better.”
Naperville Central came out in the second half and slowed down the pace of the game on both ends of the court. The Redhawks defense limited West Aurora to just 2 points in the third quarter and 5 in the fourth quarter.
“What we were doing forced them to hang on to the ball a little longer,” Nussbaum said. “Defense in the second half is how we won the game.”
On offense Naperville Central relied heavily on its play in the post. Junior Emma Donahue had a game-high 19 points, and sophomore Victoria Trowbridge added 10 points of her own.
“I thought Donahue had a solid, consistent game, and Trowbridge did a lot of posting up and dirty work,” Nussbaum said.
Donahue left the game midway through the second quarter and didn’t return until the second half. With Donahue momentarily out of the lineup, Nussbaum relied on solid minutes from Trowbridge and 6-foot-3 junior Melissa Niggins.
“We knew we’d have a hard time rebounding because West Aurora is very athletic and big. We just needed to box out well,” Trowbridge said. “You just have to step in, go up strong and not be afraid of getting fouled.”
Naperville Central returns to action Saturday at Waubonsie Valley, and the Blackhawks are off until a showdown with Naperville North on Thursday.
“It was a good win, Nussbaum said. They challenged us and we responded.”