Stapleton, Lueken fill void for Downers Grove South

With senior guard Maggie Greco missing her first game because of an ankle sprain Tuesday, Downers Grove South needed someone else to step up and help senior post player Holly Lueken with the scoring load.

The Mustangs turned to Meghan Stapleton.

The 5-foot-9 sophomore guard filled the void, hitting five 3-pointers and scoring 19 points in the Mustangs' 56-21 West Suburban Gold victory against Addison Trail in Downers Grove.

"She played so well," Lueken said. "Her shot is amazing."

"We told her, time to step up a little bit," Mustangs coach Lyndsie Long added. "We have Maggie injured right now, so we really needed her and Holly to do most of the scoring for us tonight, and she stepped up big. She told us before the game she was ready to step up with Holly and be a leader on the floor when Maggie has to be out. And she shot really well."

So did Lueken. The 6-1 senior, a Colgate recruit, scored a game-high 25 points. She also grabbed 9 rebounds and blocked 5 shots.

"Holly carries this team, and she played outstanding," Long said, noting Lueken is averaging about 4 blocks a game. "...I'd be scared to go 1-on-1 against her, I'll tell you that. She's outstanding for us. She's so long. Her rebounding has gotten a lot better from last year to this year."

"I'm not really thinking about it," Lueken said of the blocks. "Usually if it comes, then I go for it, but I always have to be smart about foul trouble too. Have to be conscientious about it both ways.

"I love the blocks. I think it's a good momentum-changer for the team, and I think it's a lot of fun for me."

Leading 15-8 after one quarter, Downers South (6-3, 3-1) reeled off a 21-4 second quarter to take control.

Addison Trail (4-5, 1-3) made just 6 of 40 shots through the first three quarters. The fourth was played under a running clock.

"We didn't practice well the last couple of days and we came out and played like it," Blazers coach Rob Schader said. "It is what it is. I've got a bunch of seniors that need to start taking charge and they're not doing it right now. I don't know what else to say. We didn't play well. Sometimes you have those games. It was the first time this year we've had one. Hopefully it's the last time this year we have one."