Martino, Wauconda roll ahead

Wauconda junior guard Kate Martino is seemingly in perpetual motion on the basketball court.

She does, though, admit to occasionally standing still.

"It's not like I'm robotic," she said after visiting Wauconda defeated Antioch 61-45 on Friday.

As she sai d this, her broad smile was anything but robot-like. Of course, she had every right to be happy. She had just scored 15 points to help the Bulldogs improve to 8-0 on the season and 4-0 in the NSC Prairie Division.

"It's a great feeling to know we're 8-0," she said. "I haven't been able to say that since back in middle school. This is what you dream about."

Martino's ability to move without the ball frustrated the Sequoits' defense. Her cut into the lane and resulting layup in the third quarter was just one example. After watching this, Antioch coach Tim Borries asked rhetorically, "Would someone guard her?"

Martino's enthusiastic play on both ends of the court is a constant.

"She's a ball of energy," Wauconda coach Jaime Weber said.

Wauconda was the more energetic team early on. The Bulldogs' full-court pressure helped them race to a 9-2 lead.

The Sequoits (4-5, 1-2) battled back from the quick deficit and had the better of it in the second quarter. A 3-pointer in the final minute of the half by senior Katie Budd tied the score at 29-29.

Antioch would likely have been leading if Wauconda senior center Lauren Mead had not scored 15 of her game-high 19 points in the first half. Mead also grabbed 10 rebounds.

Budd's play off the bench was key for the Sequoits. She finished with a team-high 11 point s. Junior Lauren Grant added 10 points.

"(Budd) gave us a spark on offense and played very good defense," Borries said. "She battled well against taller girls."

In the second half, Wauconda sophomore center Roslyn Summerville came through in a major way. Her play in the fourth quarter helped Wauconda break open what had been a close game. She finished with 11 points.

"Once I make one (basket), I know I can do it again," she said.

Weber is excited with Summerville's progression.

"She did exactly what we needed her to do," Weber said. "She rebounded and scored some much needed points."