Geneva nabs consolation crown at Montini
Less than 24 hours after scoring a triple-overtime victory over Rolling Meadows, one might think that fatigue could set in for Geneva's girls basketball team against Bolingbrook Wednesday afternoon.
Think again.
Sophomore Margaret Whitley scored a game-high 20 points while 6-foot-2 junior center Grace Loberg added 14 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocked shots and 4 steals as the Vikings (10-2) pulled away for a 54-39 triumph in the consolation championship of the 7th annual Montini Christmas Tournament in Lombard.
Vikings coach Sarah Meadows wasn't surprised by her team's high energy level despite the fact it had played an extra 12 minutes one day earlier.
“These kids are ballers,” said Meadows, whose team captured its second consecutive consolation crown at Montini. “They're go-getters. They're going to be up every single day. They're gym rats and they're ready to rock.”
Geneva got off to a slow start as the Raiders (5-5) scored the game's first 4 baskets and grabbed an 11-2 lead on a 3-point play by Jnaya Walker (13 points) midway through the opening quarter.
Meadows called her first timeout just 3 minutes into the contest.
“When I called that timeout, I was like, ‘I'm not even mad,' ” said Meadows. “Offensively, we looked fine — we just weren't hitting shots. We just had to dig ourselves out a little bit.”
Geneva did just that, closing out the last 3 ½ minutes of the first quarter on a 12-0 run to take a 14-11 advantage.
Loberg led the way, scoring 4 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in the first period, while Whitley canned the first of her four 3-pointers from the wing to put the Vikings in front for the first time.
Geneva upped its lead to 30-22 at halftime and gradually extended the margin to 12 at 47-35 after 3 quarters.
Whitley, who missed her first 5 field-goal attempts, drained a pair of 3-pointers in the third quarter.
“You just have to keep in a positive mindset even if you're missing,” said Whitley. “I'm thinking I'll make the next one so I keep shooting.”
Sophomore Maddy Yelle added 8 points, 3 steals and 3 rebounds as the Vikings finished the tourney with a 3-1 mark.
“I was really happy with Maddy Yelle,” said Meadows. “I thought she played fantastic today.”
“Obviously, we hoped to win the first game and go to the championship bracket but when you lose, you have to find your next goal,” said Whitley. “I love this tournament. I think it's an awesome opportunity to play the best of the best.”
Talia Edwards added 10 points and 9 rebounds for Bolingbrook.