St. Charles East storms into Wheaton North semis

Surprised that St. Charles East is in the semis at Wheaton North?

The Saints aren't. Nobody watching them the last three weeks should be.

Two nights after upsetting No. 1 seed Hinsdale Central, unseeded St. Charles East led from start to finish in beating No. 8 Lyons Township 44-30 at the Bill Neibch Falcon Holiday Classic.

"I don't think we're surprised," said senior guard Lexi Baltes, who had 15 points and 5 steals, "but we're certainly excited to be in the semis. I don't think anybody else expected us to be here, but we believe in our potential. That's what is getting us places."

Since a 2-4 start, St. Charles East (9-4) has reeled off seven straight wins. The last four came since the tournament was seeded. At Wheaton North the top eight teams are seeded, and the rest are determined by a blind draw. A team that starts five seniors coming off a 17-win season looks like anything but the best of the rest.

"We had a little team conference (after we were 2-4), we talked just as a team what we're about," said senior forward Kala Sigona, "and what these seniors can bring as a team. We talked about the experience and leadership that we needed to be competitive in big tournaments."

After needing a late rally to beat Hinsdale Central, the Saints set the tone from the opening tip Monday. St. Charles East led 10-4 after a quarter, repeatedly beating Lions' pressure.

Up 12-11 midway through the second quarter, the Saints peeled off a 7-0 run to end the the half. A Steph Roan 3-pointer started things and two stickbacks by Sigona (10 points, 5 rebounds) finished it.

"We're doing a better job on the boards right now," Saints coach Lori Drumtra said, "and doing a better job inside overall. Our perimeter has always been pretty strong. This year with Kara (Schnier) and Kala we have added strength inside. It just took them a little while to get going."

With Sigona and Schnier sitting with foul trouble, Lyons (5-6) pulled within 29-25 after the third quarter. A Jaime Rust baseline drive and Schnier free throw pushed the lead back to seven, and Baltes picked a Lyons' players pocket and fed Roan for a breakaway to make it 34-25.

Baltes then hit a pair of back-breaking 3-pointers for a 40-30 lead with 4:11 left.

"I think that shows the seniority of this team," Baltes said, "the way we answered their run. That helps in pressure situations. We know how to handle ourselves and stay composed."

Next up for St. Charles East is a showdown with Upstate Eight rival Waubonsie Valley - who the Saints don't play in conference until February. No. 4 seed Waubonsie beat Downers Grove North 47-24 Monday, forcing 32 turnovers.

"They're an incredibly athletic team - we're going to have a challenge," Drumtra said. "With our three perimeter players, our ballhandlers (pressure) doesn't make me feel uncomfortable. Most teams have one ballhandler. I feel like we have three. But we're definitely going to have our work cut out for us."