Naperville Central catches, passes Naperville North

Naperville North held a 10-point lead over favored rival Naperville Central with a minute to go in the first half on Monday. And at the time, both teams seemed to know that it wouldn't be enough to hold the Redhawks.

Naperville Central finally caught the visiting Huskies with less than six minutes remaining in the game and pulled away to a 57-47 victory.

Though the smaller and younger Huskies battled gallantly, it was the Redhawks' experience that prevailed at the end.

Naperville Central (18-3, 17-1) just seems to know how to win, while the Huskies (4-15, 3-5) are still learning.

"We've had games like this all year," said Naperville Central coach Andy Nussbaum. "Our veteran players know what we need to do. Give Naperville North credit, they played well. But we felt it was a just a matter of time that we would take control of the game."

"The first half was one of the best we played all year," said Naperville North coach Jacquie Discipio. "But they came back after halftime and kicked it into high gear."

A traditional 3-point play by Naperville Central center Emma Donahue sent the Redhawks to halftime with a 7-point deficit to make up, and they whittled that to 3 points down at the end of the third quarter.

In the final period the Redhawks took over with a 9-1 run that was started by a layup by Donahue on an inbounds play. That was followed by Ondik's 3-pointer that put them ahead for good 44-43.

A steal by Claire Fleming, who found Ondik for a fastbreak layup and a short one-hander by Jill D'Amico made it 48-43 and pretty much sealed the game for the hosts.

"They came flying out at us in the first half," said Erin Antony, who scored 11 points (including three 3-pointers) and grabbed 10 boards. "They got second and third chances because we just didn't box out. We boxed out in the second half, and in the end our rebounding won the game."

Naperville Central's Claire Fleming also hit a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Donahue fell just short with 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Fleming added 3 steals and Donahue blocked 3 shots.

Ondik led the Redhawks scoring with 14, including 9 in the fourth quarter.

"We had balanced scoring," said Ondik. "Donahue can post up, Erin, Claire and Jill are shooters, and we can all drive."

Naperville North's Shannon Bushman was the game's leading scorer with 16 point, including a pair of 3-pointers and Emily Koch scored 10 of her 11 points in the first half.

"In the second half we looked young," Discipio said. "In pressure situations we tend to drift off into the distance. We're used to fighting from behind, but we're a little uncomfortable with the lead. We dictated in the first half and we just responded in the second half."