Driscoll keeps streak intact

The contrasts could not have been more striking when Driscoll faced Plainfield Central in opening-round action of the Oswego East Holiday Tournament.

The Highlanders' girls basketball squad was undefeated after 10 games, and Plainfield Central was still in search of its first win after an equal number of games.

Driscoll junior center Courtney Lindfors dominated the interior with a team-high 20 points and 6 blocked shots, and the Highlanders' offense produced assists on 10 of its 13 second-half field goals.

The resulting 56-40 victory in Oswego on Thursday night sends Driscoll into the Saturday quarterfinals of the 16-team tournament to face either Andrew or Chicago Brooks.

"That was kind of shocking," said Lindfors, who tallied all 10 of the Highlanders' third-quarter points. "One of our weaknesses has been ball movement. We got good looks when we moved the ball. We didn't know anything about (Plainfield Central), except that they hadn't won a game. We didn't want to be the first team to lose to them."

Driscoll (11-0) never trailed, and back-to-back 3-pointers from Allie Divito and Gigi DiGrazia gave the squad its first of many double-digits leads midway through the second quarter.

But Plainfield Central (0-11) was able to remain competitive behind the superlative all-around play of freshman Brigid Hanley.

The guard hit her first six shots from the field and led all players with 24 points and 8 rebounds.

None of the other Plainfield Central players scored more than 4 points, and the Highlanders' cohesiveness and unselfish play paid dividends after the first half ended with Driscoll leading 29-18.

Lindfors' commanding height advantage in the post was exploited with five inside scores off assists from three players.

"We didn't have anything to counter (Lindfors in the paint)," Plainfield Central coach Mark Krusz said. "Then (Driscoll) pulled us out into a man-to-man (defense), which put us in an even worse position."

The Highlanders put on a masterful show in the fourth quarter, twice building leads of 18 points.

Taylor Reaber drained a baseline 3-pointer to flavor her 11-point evening, and Kasey Reaber found Shaquina Scott in the final half minute to conclude the Highlanders' effortless second-half run.

"I thought we played a little more individually in the first half," Driscoll coach Steve McCuiston said. "We moved the ball very well in the second half. We want to play our game, (which is) inside and out."