Zaplatynsky puts some zip into Schaumburg
Schaumburg Saxons senior Candace Zaplatynsky got the start at center for her final home game Friday night against Mid-Suburban West rival Palatine.
She expected to be subbed out shortly after the start of the game, but she and her team were both surprised with her contributions.
The 6-foot-2 Zaplatynsky scored 8 of her 10 points in the first quarter and added 12 rebounds (6 offensive) in the first half on her way to a 17-rebound night as the Saxons earned a 44-41 victory.
As Zaplatynsky continued to dominate the paint against the Pirates (8-16, 0-9), confidence began to grow for her and her coach, Ashley Berggren.
"I kept seeing subs come into the game, but they weren't coming for me," she said.
Zaplatynsky, along with fellow seniors Taylor Kosla (11 points) and Rachel Kahan, guided the Saxons (5-21, 3-7) to a 27-11 halftime lead.
But this game was far from over.
A determined, youthful Palatine squad came out with a purpose in the second half, led by freshman guard Nia Pappas and junior guard Katie Mnichowicz.
The quick hands of Pappas (10 points, 4 steals, 3 assists) and the outside shooting of Mnichowicz (15 points, 12 in second half) brought the Pirates back slowly.
"We put ourselves in a big hole," said Pirates coach Leslie Schock. "It's frustrating we didn't come out ready to play against a team we know we can beat."
With 13.3 seconds left in the game and the Pirates down by 3, Schock called a timeout. Trying to force overtime, senior Heather Zimmerman's 3-point attempt rimmed out as the game ended.
"We don't have any experience in situations being up by 15," Berggren said. "We have to learn to push harder and maintain composure. But give Palatine a lot of credit. They worked hard to come back."
The Saxons' Kahan (13 points, 6 assists, 5 steals, 5 rebounds) scored 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in the second half. No other Saxon had more than 2 points after intermission.
"(Kahan) got into foul trouble, which got her out of the flow of the game, but shes a fighter," Berggren said.