Chanthaboury's return sparks St. Charles North over rival
St. Charles North's Launi Chanthaboury remembers how difficult it was to watch from the bench last season when the North Stars lost an 8-point girls basketball road decision to St. Charles East.
Chanthaboury, who missed her junior campaign following knee surgery, made up for some lost time Friday night as she scored a game-high 17 points and added 4 assists and 3 steals during the North Stars' 52-44 DuKane Conference victory over host St. Charles East (5-9, 1-2).
"I missed my whole junior season," said Chanthaboury. "It was tough to watch, especially when we came here last year and lost (35-27). It felt really good to win, especially in my last year being here."
The 5-foot-5 senior helped the North Stars (7-4, 2-1) get off to a fast start as she hit her first 3 shots, including a pair of 3-pointers, as the visitors grabbed a 15-2 lead in the first 4 ½ minutes.
"Coming out of the locker room, we knew this was our game," said Chanthaboury. "We had to show it within the first couple minutes - to throw that first punch."
Chanthaboury and sophomore teammate Morgan Klug tallied 11 and 10 points, respectively, as the North Stars built a 32-16 halftime advantage.
When the Saints began to make their comeback bid in the second half, the North Stars responded with a few clutch baskets - the first a 3-point play by freshman Alyssa Hughes (9 points) to extend the lead to 45-35 with 5:36 remaining - and the second coming a couple minutes later as Chanthaboury drained her fourth 3-pointer to make it 48-37.
North Stars coach Mike Tomczak was just happy to have his point guard back.
"It's the simple presence of her being there," said the coach. "It calms everyone. In the fourth quarter without her, I don't know how it ends."
Earlier in the season, the North Stars let a 21-point lead slip away during a 53-52 loss to South Elgin.
There wasn't a repeat this time.
"I'd be lying if it didn't pop up in my head," said Tomczak. "Strong first half and then we came out a little flat, almost trying to hang on. We had that feeling in the third quarter but the difference is having a player like Launi who is not going to allow you to just hang on."
Junior Tatum Settelmyer chipped in with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocked shots while senior Emma Nawara added 11 rebounds as the North Stars won at St. Charles East for the first time since January of 2014.
"I work here (East) during the day," said Tomczak. "I know how passionate the fans are and how dedicated the staff is. It's a tremendously difficult place to play."
Sophomores Torrie Kortan and Olivia Kiefer paced the Saints with 10 points apiece.
"Everyone wants to play their best but it was almost like there was too much of an emotional release before the game even started," said Saints coach Aubree Schuett.
"I was proud of my kids for coming back. In the second half, we were doing what we wanted to do. For us, it's a matter of putting the full game together."