Richardson swings into action as Stevenson handles Warren

In the spring, Stevenson junior, Ashley Richardson, plays badminton.

Nothing against that sport, but it seems Richardson's favorite sport is basketball.

And she's clearly very good at this winter endeavor.

Here's a look at the third quarter scoring from Tuesday's night's game at Warren High School:

Richardson 22, Warren 20.

There is another Ashley hanging out on the Stevenson bench. That's former Prospect coach, Ashley Graham. And the former Buffalo Grove star (Sandstead) preaches defense - and more defense - to her first team at Stevenson.

Warren (1-5) only scored in double figures in one quarter. Stevenson (6-3) was never really threatened with this 51-29 win on the road in North Suburban Lake action.

"This was our best game so far this season,'' Richardson said.

Richardson (25 points) didn't get into the scoring column until the final second of the first quarter. That's when she landed her first of three 3-pointers.

"I worked a lot on my game in the summer,'' Richardson said.

By the time her 3-pointer went in, the Patriots were up by double figures at 13-3 after one quarter.

"We've been holding teams to 34 points a game,'' Graham said. "And we've had a pretty tough schedule so far. Our kids have bought into our defensive gameplan."

Warren finally caught on offensively in the second quarter. Junior guard Rebekah Foley had a personal 5-point run, including her team's lone 3-pointer.

Richardson and promising sophomore guard Kiana Cencula answered with 3-pointers of their own, and the Pats' lead at halftime was 26-14.

"Stevenson played very well,'' said Warren coach, John Stanczykiewicz. "But we didn't get out on their shooters. Richardson had 25 points and that's the third game in a row that someone has scored 25 on us."

The third quarter began with a tough spinning shot from Stevenson senior Jessica Burke. A year ago, a sprained ankle slowed her progress. Now, she shows she can drive to the hoop at any time.

"Jessica has a very high basketball IQ,'' Graham said. "She's a tough matchup on defense and she's a slasher on offense."

Burke paid attention to Graham's call for defensive helpers.

"In the summer, we worked on our defense,'' Burke said. "Defense is something you can control."

After the Burke 3-point play, it was all Richardson the rest of the third quarter. She went on a personal 14-point run and finally earned a rest with her Pats up 43-24.

"Richardson is our floor general out there,'' Graham noted.

Burke backed up Richardson's big night with 7 points.

Foley led the Warren attack with 9 points, and sophomore Kaylen Dickson showed off some good moves with a personal 6-point run in the second half.