Stevenson handles Highland Park

Michelle O’Brien has a knack for making a steal look pretty easy, even though in reality it’s no small feat.

O’Brien got herself involved for a handful of thefts on Tuesday and made all the difference for Stevenson girls basketball team, which made winning look easy on Tuesday night.

The Patriots, paced by O’Brien’s 17 points and 6 rebounds and Anna Morrissey’s 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals rolled past host Highland Park 61-41 in nonconference play.

“When they turn their backs to the play, it’s kind of easy to double-team them and pick the pass off,” O’Brien said. “I’m always looking to anticipate. It’s something we work on in practice.

“It’s kind of the body position. If you’re in the passing lane you can pick it off.”

Stevenson improved its record to 18-7 and won its fourth straight game thanks to better defense and a more concerted effort at limiting turnovers.

“What we were lacking in midseason was a lack of emotion,” Stevenson coach Tom Dineen said. “Our defense was giving up easy baskets. We were turning the ball over too many times and shooting ourselves in the foot.

“We’re now playing with a lot of enthusiasm, real good defense and the turnovers are less and less.”

The Patriots started out by pulling ahead early as O’Brien scored 7 points. Stevenson led 15-9 by the end of the first quarter.

Stevenson’s defense took over in the second quarter, forcing numerous Giants turnovers and leading to transition baskets. The Patriots outscored the Giants 18-4 and held a commanding 33-13 lead at the half.

“Our team was playing good defense,” O’Brien said. “We really like transition — it’s a big part of the offense. If we can get steals, push and run to get layups, it’s a big part of our game.”

Brianna Colliier led Highland Park (14-6) with 18 points and 10 rebounds. But the Giants had other problems, in particular the disruption caused by Patriots’ pressure defense.

“Stevenson was a good team, but we didn’t play well either,” said Highland Park coach Jolie Bechtel, whose team had 11 turnovers in the first half. “It’s hard to beat a team that way when you turn the ball over so much. Stevenson was very athletic, very physical and a bit bigger than us. Then again, we didn’t execute either. We just turned the ball over in the half court.”