Wheeling 61, Prospect 37

Just three days after a superb effort to hold Fremd to 17 points, the Wheeling girls basketball team flaunted its defensive skills again Friday night.

The host Wildcats put the clamps on a Prospect team that came into the Mid-Suburban East opener undefeated and had scored at least 50 points in all but one of its seven games.

Illinois-bound Lana Rukavina scored a game-high 20 points with 5 blocked shots, 7 rebounds and 3 assists as the Wildcats posted a 61-37 win over the Knights before a fine "Pack the Place" crowd.

"We knew we had to stay low to the ground on defense because they would try to drive a lot on us," said Wildcats sophomore Stephanie Kuzmanic, whose steal and layup initiated a 13-4 run to close the game.

The Wildcats (7-1, 1-0) drove the ball inside in the first half, when Rukavina flipped in 14 points.

"Coach (Shelly Wiegel) kept telling us that we had to work the ball inside," Kuzmanic added. "And that would open everything else up outside."

"With Prospect (7-1, 0-1) being undefeated, we knew it was going to be a good game," Wiegel said. "We did a nice job going to our strength inside and then hitting outside."

Wheeling led by 10 at halftime and started the third quarter with a 9-2 run.

Junior Ashley Wilson (14 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals), hit a pair of bank shots and sophomore Janelle Cannon (13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) netted a driving 6-footer and a 3-pointer.

"Janelle has been amazing since coming here (transfer from Evanston)," Wiegel said. "Whether it's making an assist, attacking the basket, getting a steal or shooting outside, she keeps opposing defenses honest."

Sophomore Bianca Szafarowicz added 6 points, 6 steals, 3 rebounds and 2 assists for Wheeling, ranked No. 4 in the Class 4A state poll.

Freshman Sarah Winans came off the bench to lead Prospect with 12 points while sophomore Rachel Hunt added 10.

"We called Sarah our 'fearless freshman' tonight," said Prospect coach Martha Kelly, who started two sophomores, two juniors and a senior. "She was not afraid to step up.

"Rachel did a good job taking the ball to the basket and a great job rebounding. Every time she gets on the floor, she is going to get better."