Driscoll, Lindfors unstoppable
At 6-foot-4, Driscoll center Courtney Lindfors naturally attracts a lot of attention from opposing defenses.
Despite knowing that the sophomore has been scoring more this season, there wasn't much Walther Lutheran could do to stop her in Tuesday's nonconference girls basketball showdown.
Lindfors scored a career-high 24 points, including 9 points during the crucial third quarter, to power the visiting Highlanders to a convincing 71-47 victory over the Broncos in Melrose Park.
In the Associated Press preseason Class 2A poll, Walther Lutheran tied for fourth.
"We like her to touch the ball on every possession if possible," said Driscoll coach Steve McCuiston. "The dynamic of having a good inside presence with our outside shooters is key for us."
Lindfors and her teammates were at their best in the third quarter. Walther Lutheran made a strong run to close the gap late in the second quarter and entered halftime with some momentum, trailing only 32-25. But Driscoll turned the tables to open the third quarter and came of the locker room on fire.
The Highlanders (6-0) went on a 16-2 spurt to take a 48-27 lead with 3:30 to play. Lindfors had a strong move for a bucket and foul, making the free throw. She added 2 more foul shots after getting position in the lane. Teammate Bridget Delboccio fed her for another bucket too. Gigi DiGrazia and Allie Divito also nailed 3 pointers and Taylor Reaber finished a strong drive to the hoop.
In the third quarter Driscoll put the Broncos (5-1) away by outscoring them 26-9 to take a 58-34 advantage in the final eight minutes of play.
"We stepped up defensively and played hard," said Reaber, who poured in 7 of her 14 points in the third quarter.
"We finished everything," added Lindfors, who shot 10 of 11 from the free-throw line and also pulled down 12 rebounds. She showed her dribbling skills on a few occasions too when the Highlanders worked to move the ball up against the Walther Lutheran trap.
McCuiston felt his team did a good job of getting the ball to Lindfors when she got position in the paint.
"The girls have a good recognition on the seal," McCuiston said. "Courtney did a good job of aggressively catching the ball. We had to come out with poise and keep attacking the basket."
The Broncos looked to pressure the Driscoll guards and stayed in a man-to-man defense for most of the game. It didn't work well enough.
"Driscoll was hitting their outside shots," said Walther Lutheran coach Todd Fisher. "They spread the ball out and got it to (Lindfors). She impacted the game a lot."
The play of DiGrazia, a junior guard, in bringing the ball up against the press, was key for the Highlanders as well.
"She is our glue and settles us down," McCuiston said. "She wants the ball in her hands and we are happy for her to have it."
DiGrazia also chipped in 10 points. Walther Lutheran was led by 13 points by Jazzmyn Harvey.