Stevenson battles past New Trier into Komaromy title game
Stingy defenses on both sides of the court led to few baskets in the first Dundee-Crown Komaromy Classic Tournament semifinal on Thursday.
New Trier and Stevenson combined for 29 buckets in the contest. Starting at the 7:26 mark of the fourth quarter, the Patriots finally pulled away from the Trevians for 46-37 win and a berth in Friday’s 8 p.m. championship game.
Stevenson, looking for its fifth Komaromy Classic title, plays defending tournament champion Maine South for top honors. The Hawks beat Barrington 66-34 in the second semifinal.
The Trevians and Fillies will square off at 6:30 p.m. for third place.
The Patriots had a 30-29 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Trevian Sela Klein opened the frame’s scoring by sinking two free throws to put her team on top 31-30, the 14th lead change of the game. The junior led New Trier’s scoring with 13 points.
Junior Sydney Rosland scored three points the old fashion way, a layup and free throw to put the Patriots back in front, 33-31. Klein’s jumper from the top of the key tied the game for the ninth time, 33-33.
Rosland responded with a three-point basket with 6:20 to play to put Stevenson (13-1) up for good, 36-33.
Teammate Emory Klatt score the team’s next five points on buckets and three free throws to widen Stevenson’s lead to 41-35 with 3:11 left. The senior led all scorers with 20 points.
“That was a slugfest. We didn’t shoot very well but we changed up our defense in the second half and I think that’s what gave us the energy to keep on going,” Stevenson coach Regan Carmichael said. “We got some different looks in the second half. We switched some matchups to give them something different to have to play against.”
“We really got a lot of stops in the third quarter and then our shots started to fall and we became really confident in our shooting,” Klatt said. “In the first half, we had some good looks, but they weren’t falling.”
Klatt was also a force on the Patriots’ defense, pulling down 19 rebounds, blocking a shot and getting two steals.
“I always have the mentally that shots aren’t going in,” the senior said. “I’m always trying to go for the ball anyway I can.”
Stevenson had a slight advantage on the glass, outrebounding New Trier, 45-40.
Until the fourth quarter, neither team lead by more than three points. New Trier (9-7) led 14-13 at the end of the first quarter. Stevenson had a one-point advantage at halftime, 24-23.
“They played harder than we did. They got every loose ball, and we didn’t, particularly in the fourth quarter,” said New Trier coach Teri Rogers. “They got tougher in the fourth quarter, and we didn’t. They put us back on our heels.”
Nisha Musunuri scored 12 points for the Patriots while teammate Laurel Jewell snared 11 rebounds.
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