Geneva answers St. Charles East
While talking to reporters after a 58-45 loss at Geneva Wednesday night, St. Charles East coach Lori Drumtra used the word "turnovers" seven times in a little over four minutes.
That rate just about matched the combined 51 turnovers in the game that had both coaches shaking their heads.
St. Charles East (11-11, 4-5) committed 28 of those which combined with a slow start that saw the Saints fall behind 11-3 after the first quarter hurt its upset bid against No. 5 Geneva (18-3, 8-0).
"The key number, 28," Drumtra said. "That was the turnovers. They (Geneva) are a good team and they are explosive. But we need to clean up some things. Turnovers just killed us under their basket on the press. That was frustrating that I felt we beat ourselves. We jut have to wipe out those turnovers."
Of course the Saints aren't the first team and won't be the last to fall victim to Geneva's pressure. Kelly Gordon and Rachel Hinchman both had 6 of the team's 18 steals.
"Locking the players on defense and making sure our defense turned into offense," Gordon said of the key to the win. "That's what we are best at. We are an athletic team and need to use our quickness to push the ball and get out and run."
Geneva didn't do any running early, not scoring from the field until halfway through the first quarter on Sami Pawlak's jumper.
That was the start of a big first half for Pawlak who scored all 14 of her points in the first half including getting to the free-throw line 13 times (making 4).
"I was just driving and they were fouling and hitting me," Pawlak said. "I wish I was making them (free throws) a little better. But some days you are on and some days you aren't."
It was Hinchman's turn to be on in the second half when she scored all 16 of her points.
The most important of those came late in the third quarter. After a steal and layup by Paige Jordan drew the Saints within 24-23, Vikings coach Sarah Meadows called timeout. Hinchman made a pinpoint pass to Gordon for a lay-in, then followed with a 3-pointer. A jumper by Morgan Seberger and Hinchman's steal and breakaway gave the Vikings 9 unanswered points and a 33-23 lead.
"In the second half we just challenged Rachel and Michaela (Loebel) both and Rachel hit that 3 out of the timeout," Meadows said.
Amanda Hilton's 3 late in the third quarter helped the Saints pull within 37-32 before Geneva again answered with the first 7 points of the fourth quarter.
"After they got the big runs we just had to settle down and work as a team for some easy baskets," Gordon said.
Gordon and Seberger both added 8 points for Geneva while Loebel pulled down 9 rebounds from her guard spot to trail only Pawlak's 12. Now the Vikings get ready for a challenge Friday at No. 2 Waubonsie Valley (15-2).
"Friday night is a huge test for us especially with Ashley (Santos) out everyone is going to have to step up and push themselves a little harder," Gordon said. "It's going to be a big game for us."
Jordan came alive in the second half with 12 points to finish with a team-high 14 for the Saints. Morgan Vyzral added 9 points and 5 steals and Hilton chipped in 8 points.
"We have been working on playing better as a team and I thought we took a step in that direction," Drumtra said.