Larkin's Marlee Kyles poses for a photo op with Kiley (Holtz) Ross in Elgin Tuesday night. Kyles was given a plaque before for recently breaking Ross' school scoring record.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Before Larkin took on West Aurora, the Royals honored Marlee Kyles for becoming the school's all-time girls basketball leading scorer. Kyles then went out and dropped 29 points on the Blackhawks, but it wasn't enough to lift Larkin to the victory.
Skylar Doby hit an off-balance runner in the lane as time expired to give the Blackhawks the win, 57-55, in Upstate Eight action in Elgin Tuesday night.
The Royals led 31-21 midway through the third quarter, and 39-32 early in the fourth. But the Blackhawks kept chipping away, taking their first lead since 2-0 on a 3-pointer by Essence Rayford that made it 49-48. Larkin tied it at 53 on a bucket by Kyles and at 55 on a shot by Brianna Young. Larkin got a steal for a chance to go ahead but was called for an offensive foul, setting up Doby's drive.
The real keys to the West Aurora comeback, though, were the last 2 players off the bench: Kayla Battle and Keyani Pryor combined for 16 points and 16 rebounds, all in the second half after playing sparingly before intermission.
"We were just rotating kids and getting kids in the game," said West Aurora coach Connie Siljendahl.
Larkin led 13-2 after one quarter and still maintained a comfortable 37-30 lead after three periods. But the Blackhawks kept clawing their way back.
"I told them that we had to attack the gap and get the ball inside," Siljendahl said. "Everybody did what they're supposed to be doing."
Kyles also grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. She could have had more, but teammates missed some layups. Kyles, though, made just 10 of 30 from the field and 6 of 13 from the free-throw line.
Haley Bohne added 10 points for Larkin, and Shawniece Colen-Douglas had 6 points and 7 rebounds.
Doby finished with 19 points for West Aurora (4-4). Pryor finished with 10 and Battle added 6 points and 12 rebounds.
Images: Larkin vs. West Aurora, girls basketball
Larkin's Marlee Kyles poses for a photo op with Kiley (Holtz) Ross in Elgin Tuesday night. Kyles was given a plaque before a game with West Aurora in recognition of recently having eclipsed the all-time scoring record for the Royals. Ross formerly held the all-time scoring record.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Larkin's Marlee Kyles dishes the ball against West Aurora during varsity girls basketball action at Elgin Tuesday night. Larkin's Marlee Kyles was given a plaque before the game in recognition of recently having eclipsed the all-time scoring record for the Royals.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
West Aurora's Antoinette Kennebrew reaches for a rebound during varsity girls basketball action at Larkin Tuesday night. Larkin's Marlee Kyles was given a plaque before the game in recognition of recently having eclipsed the all-time scoring record for the Royals.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
West Aurora's Dajour Miles moves through traffic en route to the hoop during varsity girls basketball action at Larkin Tuesday night.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Larkin's Vina Shee, right, dishes the ball past West Aurora's Kate Martinez in Elgin Tuesday night.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Larkin's Shawniece Colen-Douglas snags a rebound against West Aurora during varsity girls basketball action at Elgin Tuesday night.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Larkin battled West Aurora in varsity girls basketball action at Elgin Tuesday night. Larkin's Marlee Kyles was given a plaque and congratulated by teammates before the game in recognition of recently having eclipsed the all-time scoring record for the Royals.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com
Larkin's Marlee Kyles moves the ball against West Aurora during varsity girls basketball action at Elgin Tuesday night. Kyles was given a plaque before the game in recognition of recently having eclipsed the all-time scoring record for the Royals.
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.com