Downers Grove South stop tired Warriors

Willowbrook really could have used a snow day.

Short-handed and slogging through a packed schedule, the Warriors didn't have the strength in their legs to stay with Downers Grove South, which stole away with a 44-29 victory Tuesday night in Villa Park.

With guard Angela Domin out due to a knee injury, Warriors guards Taylor Nelson and Mary Flood have been on the floor almost every minute of the last three games.

"Obviously, it's showing in our shooting," Willowbrook coach Troy Nelson said. "We couldn't shoot any worse if we tried. That's an excuse, is what it is, but we're much better shooters than that. I couldn't come up with a better answer. And we compounded it by not playing hard."

It doesn't help that the Warriors (3-7, 2-2 West Suburban Gold) have played three games a week since their Thanksgiving tournament.

"We haven't even had a regular practice since our Thanksgiving tournament. It's been a pregame practice every time," coach Nelson added. "It's hard to get better when you don't practice."

Put that together with an improved defensive effort from the Mustangs (4-7, 3-2), and the Warriors' 29 points set a new defensive standard for Downers South.

"That's our lowest point total holding an opponent, so I was very happy with that," Mustangs coach Mike McGinnis said. "We're trying to be consistent at the defensive end, and we were definitely consistent today."

A 4-point halftime margin became a blowout in the third quarter. The period started with a Flood basket and ended with 2 Taylor Nelson free throws, but in between the Mustangs rattled off a 17-1 run. The Mustangs' lead peaked at 19 points.

"We adjusted well and we started to find our players in the post. We just played a lost smarter," McGinnis said. "When we play smart on defense, we play smart on offense."

It doesn't get much easier for Willowbrook, which doesn't play again until a conference game at Leyden on Friday, then opens the Wheaton North holiday tournament with fourth-ranked Hinsdale Central, one of the best defensive teams around.

Senior forward Katie Jelinek scored 10 points for the Mustangs.

Taylor Nelson and Ellen Wright scored 9 points each for Willowbrook.