Bench once again gives Geneva a lift
Kat Yelle, Lauren Wicinski and company aren't just great basketball players, they also can cast a bit of a shadow over some other key contributes that deserve credit for Geneva's 31-0 season.
Take the Vikings' bench. The group doesn't get headlines, often they don't get much playing time, but they are there when Geneva needs them.
The Vikings' 62-48 win over Rockford Boylan provided another typical example. Geneva's bench combined for 5 points, just about at the 4.7 they were averaging so far in the postseason.
But those 5 points were 5 more than Bolyan's bench provided. And they came at important times in the first half to help Geneva sustain the momentum it built with its red-hot start.
"It's definitely a good group of girls," said Geneva junior guard Sammy Scofield, who played a similar bench role on last year's state team behind starters Emily Hinchman and Taylor Whitley.
"They don't get in as much but when they do come in they do make a difference. We do have depth. When we get in foul trouble or just need a break they definitely come in and help."
Senior post Sam Dudman provided the first spark Thursday, knocking down a 15-foot jumper to help the Vikings extend their lead to 9 points after the first quarter.
Katelyn Allen has one of the best 3-point shots on the team and she showed it in the second quarter with a 3-pointer assisted by Dudman.
"Katelyn has a great shot," Geneva coach Gina Nolan said. "One reason I put her in is because they (Boylan) went to that zone and I wanted her to look for that shot. She came in the other night (against Cary-Grove) I think she was a little nervous playing on that stage but she knocked it down tonight. That was huge."
Geneva also has received solid minutes all year from Myra Yelle. Brook Binette, Dori Rogers and Kelsey Pease are among the others Nolan counts on to make the starters better in practice.
"Our bench has been huge all year even if they don't get on the floor what they do for us in practice," Nolan said.
The Vikings turned the ball over just 4 times Thursday and the bench came in and helped keep Geneva in its good flow it had for nearly all 32 minutes.
"It was nice to see everyone have a hand in it," Nolan said.
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