Girls basketball: Ramel scores 25, leads unbeaten Rolling Meadows over Palatine
Coming off a perfect record and championship at the Hoffman Estates Tom Kendall Thanksgiving tournament, Rolling Meadows' girls basketball team was looking to keep its momentum going when it took the floor for its home opener on Tuesday night.
Coach Ryan Kirkorsky's Mustangs did exactly that with a 53-34 triumph over Palatine as junior Abby Ramel scored a game-high 25 points (two 3-pointers) with 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.
"We were a little nervous for this game but winning that tournament at Hoffman really helped us secure this win," said Ramel, who in her last game had a career-high 27 points against Streamwood with a school-record 17 rebounds, breaking the mark of Emily Romanacce and Jenny Vliet, who were tied with 16. "It (Hoffman tourney) showed us we could play together and as a team."
The Mustangs (5-0) played well as a team right from the outset, breaking out a 12-2 lead in less than four minutes.
"I think we came out with a lot of energy," Ramel added. "Everyone can score on our team. As long as we kept rotating the ball and looking for the open shots, we knew we could do well."
After taking a sharp pass from junior guard Lizzy Andriano (7 points) on the baseline, sophomore Nell Osterhues drove to the basket for a layup and a quick 2-0 lead for the Mustangs.
"Everything for us starts for us with Lizzy Andriano on both ends of the floor," KIrkorsky said. "She really sets the tone for us. Nell Osterhues (10 points) also gave us a big spark at both ends. But I thought we got great contributions from everyone."
Senior Halle Onykonwu's bucket tied the game at 2-2 before Meadows went on a 10-0 run to take command. The big run included a pair of 3-pointers from Osterhues and a 15-footer and 2 free throws from Ramel.
Senior Addyson Dersnah's 3-pointer made it 16-7 but the hosts closed the quarter with a layup from sophomore guard Anna Andriano (5 points) and 2 more free throws by Ramel for a 20-7 cushion.
Palatine surged to within 25-20 thanks to a fastbreak layup by Grace Cline, a free throw by Onyekonwu (5 points) and a driving layup by Dersnah, who had a team-high 10 points.
"That first quarter killed us,“ said Palatine coach Sarah Davis, whose team is 3-3. "They came out with high intensity defense pressure and they shot the ball well and we couldn’t come back.
"We went on a run in the second quarter but then they went on a 13-0 run (38-20 lead with 5:28 left in the third quarter). They're a great team and very well coached. They are well disciplined and it's hard to come back when you dig yourself that big of a hole to start the game."
The Mustangs answered Palatine's run with Lizzy Andriano grabbing a rebound and going coast to coast for a shifty layup followed by Ramel's 3-pointer to make it 26-20 at intermission.
The Mustangs extended their lead to 42-26 after three quarters, getting all their points from junior Maggie Schoessling (5 points), Ramel (3) and Lizzy Andriano (3). They limited the Pirates to one basket, a baseline drive and layup by Kline (7 points).
Meadows outscored Palatine 11-8 in the final quarter, capped by 5-foot-10 sophomore guard Iris Jordan's 3-pointer with 30 seconds left.
Seniors Elise Martino and Molly Pieper each chipped in 6 points for the Pirates.
"I've been very impressed with Palatine," Kirkorsky said. "I've watched them a bunch and they've got an experienced, strong team so I was just really proud of our kids and how hard they played tonight."
Ramel's play produced her third game of more than 20 points. She came into the Mid-Suburban League crossover averaging 19 points.
"It's well deserved for Abby," KIrkorsky added. "She is the kind of kid who when we have a walk-through, she is in the gym an hour before. I thought she played the right way tonight."