Johnsburg runs away from Maine West

Johnsburg put Maine West away early in the opening round of the 27th annual Dundee Crown girls basketball tournament Saturday.

The Skyhawks entered the second quarter with a 19-3 lead, increased their margin to 28 points at halftime and widened the margin to 40 points entering the final quarter en route to a 74-39 victory in Carpentersville.

Johnsburg (10-3) advanced to play Naperville Central on Monday at 6:30 p.m,, while Maine West (5-9) will try to regroup against Regina at 12:30 p.m.

Junior Melissa Dixon scored a game high 28 points for the Skyhawks - her final 2 points giving her 1,001 career points.

Senior Danielle Slivka added 16 points, and junior Mary Kate Wright came off the bench to contribute 12 points for the potent Skyhawks attack.

Maine West fell behind 9-0 early and could never recover in what, according to Warriors coach Derril Kipp, was the worst loss of his hall of fame career.

"It's the worst loss ever," Kipp said. "When they don't listen, they don't execute and they don't really put much effort into what they're doing, you don't have a chance. Especially against teams that are out here to win."

The Skyhawks' pressing defense forced the Warriors into 15 first-half turnovers and a 49-21 halftime deficit.

"We like to run, so we got out and ran," said coach Mike Toussaint, whose Skyhawks shot 58 percent (29-for-50). "That was part of our game plan and we were aggressive offensively."

Johnsburg entered the final quarter with a 67-27 lead, which led to a running clock in the fourth quarter.

Senior Samantha Acosta led the Warriors with 18 points, including six 3-pointers.