Bartlett runs away with Maine West
The Bartlett girls basketball team's quest for a Charger Classic championship started extremely well Monday night.
The Hawks scored the first 8 points, ended the first half on a 23-4 run and cruised to a 65-22 victory over Maine West in the final opening round game of the 28th annual Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown.
“We started the game with a lot of energy, almost a little too much sometimes,” Bartlett coach Denise Sarna said. “They were excited to play.”
The unbeaten Hawks (13-0) will play Prospect in the quarterfinals at 8 p.m. today. The Warriors (3-11) face Evanston at 2 p.m. in the consolation bracket.
Janessa Baker and Haley Videckis each hit 3-pointers and Kristin Conniff added a layup as the Hawks hit their first 3 shots and led 8-0 less than 2 minutes into the game. The Warriors' Amanda Hoye scored the next 2 baskets to get Maine West within 4, 8-4, but that would be as close as it got the rest of the way.
Bartlett put the game away in the second quarter. The Warriors trailed 18-10 but turned the ball over on three consecutive possessions, and Bartlett took advantage. The Hawks went on a 15-0 run to take a 33-10 lead. Nicole Beck and Videckis combined to score the final 6 points of the half as Bartlett took a 41-14 lead into halftime.
“We just turned the ball over every time we had the ball,” said Warriors coach Derril Kipp, whose team committed 11 turnovers in the first half. “You can't do that against quality teams. We're just very young. The decision making is not there.”
The Hawks shot 56 percent, 18 for 32, in the first half, but did commit 10 turnovers.
“We're coming back from three days off. We didn't come in early at all. (Bartlett High School) was closed,” Sarna said. “I was a little concerned about being rusty. Overall I thought we did a pretty good job.”
Bartlett scored the first 8 points of the second half to open a 49-14 lead. The Hawks led by at least 35 in the final 12 minutes, allowing their starters to rest for the end of the third quarter and the entire fourth.
Videckis had 16 points and 7 rebounds for the Hawks. Beck added 11 points off the bench. Conniff finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Hoye led Maine West with 10 points, all in the first half.