This time Redhawks get good start

A slow start doomed the Naperville Central girls basketball team Tuesday night at Glenbard East.

The Redhawks weren't about to let that repeat itself.

Naperville Central led from start to finish on Thursday in a 45-29 win over Wheaton Warrenville South in Wheaton.

"We decided that from now on we were going to come out strong, stay ahead of teams and beat them from the start," said Redhawks junior Katherine Tanck, who had 11 points and 8 rebounds. "We did and we kept the momentum going."

The Redhawks' fullcourt zone pressure, with a little halfcourt trap sprinkled in, was smothering. Naperville Central (4-3, 1-1 DuPage Valley Conference) forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter, 26 for the game, and the Redhawks led 34-15 after three quarters.

"The pressing helps us stay aggressive on defense," Tanck said. "Sometimes in a halfcourt 2-3 we get a little lazy. I think our guards do a good job trapping in the corners. They cause turnovers and get the offensive going."

Naperville Central led 20-13 seconds into the third quarter after a Katie Ottolin free throw for WW South. Tanck converted a three-point play off an offensive rebound at the other end, touching off a 14-0 Redhawks' run that put the game away. Tanck had 9 of her 11 points during that stretch.

"This is Tanck's best game," Redhawks coach Andy Nussbaum said. "She was aggressive to the basket."

Kelley Hendrick scored 10 points and Alex Pokorny 8 for Naperville Central. With Claire Fleming in street clothes after suffering an ankle injury against Glenbard East, the Redhawks went deep into their bench in the first half, 11 players seeing time.

"Alex and Erin Antony and Liz Crissy, those girls don't have a lot of varsity experience," Nussbaum said. "They did some nice things."

Ottolin scored 12 points and had 7 rebounds for WW South (0-5, 0-1).

"I was pleased with our defensive effort," Tigers coach Rob Kroehnke said, "we're just struggling offensively. We have to take care of the ball. It's still early in the season. If it were January I'd really be searching for answers."

Hannah Credille, in her first game back from a knee injury, scored 3 points. She was just cleared to play Monday.

"She's going to be rusty," Kroehnke said, "but it will come in time."