Barger sees a victory through for Warren

Warren’s Amanda Barger lost her focus on the basketball court during the Blue Devils’ game against Phillips.

Darn contact lenses.

Barger’s right lens got knocked out.

“I got poked in the eye and it popped out,” Barger said. “But I had a spare in my bag. Never had it happen. My mom tells me to have it just in case I need it. Luckily, I had another one so I could see.”

Barger saw the net and court well in leading Warren to a 42-22 win in the New Trier Thanksgiving Tournament in Winnetka Friday.

The Blue Devils (3-1) focus on host New Trier next, as the two teams play for the tournament title at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Barger finished with 8 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. The Youngstown State recruit took 3 charges, too.

“Amanda Barger had a great effort among a lot of great efforts from all the girls,” Warren coach John Stanczykiewicz said. “She made all the small plays that don’t normally show up in the score book. ... Usually, the kids that wear contacts, the smart ones bring a couple extra.”

“I would have tried to play with one (contact lens),” Barger said. “If I played without out it, I would have gotten a headache. I’m just glad I had another one.”

It was Barger’s best game of the season.

”I’m more of an assist-hustler type of a player,” she said.

Jessica Prince led the Blue Devils in scoring with a game-high 12 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.

Warren had plenty of contributors, including Cassie Christie (6 points) and Lexi Leneau (5 points).

“This is a tough tournament,” Stanczykiewicz said. “Regardless of who you’re playing, you have to be ready to play from the opening tip.”

Phillips (2-4, 0-4) had trouble hanging onto the ball, turning it over 17 times in the first half and 25 for game.

That helped Warren jump out to a 15-2 lead after the opening quarter. The Blue Devils were up 27-10 by halftime.

“(Warren) took us out of our game,” Phillips coach Joe Crumb said. “Their defense was very good.”