West Aurora rolls past West Chicago

Friday's girls basketball victory came at the right time for West Aurora.

The Blackhawks ended a four-game losing streak with a confidence-building 52-23 triumph at West Chicago.

"We needed this game," West Aurora coach Connie Siljendahl said. "Even tonight we kind of struggled with our shots. Too many turnovers. But they're doing some good things. They're moving the ball and they're very athletic. Sometimes they just get going too fast. Have to slow down a little bit. I just thought tonight they just really communicated with each other and talked."

It was the kind of game that can remind West Aurora (8-7, 3-0 Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division) it's capable of competing in the league.

"They needed this game to feel they can get back into it again. They were excited about it," Siljendahl said.

Sophomore guard Sierra Koenig got the Wildcats (2-15, 0-3) off to a good start with her basket to open the game, but West Aurora scored the next 10 points, a run that ended on a Koenig free throw. The Blackhawks led 13-5 at the end of the first quarter.

By halftime it was 29-10.

A dozen Blackhawks scored, with senior guard Ashley Williams the only one in double figures with 11 points. She also grabbed 9 rebounds, right around her season average.

"She's creating things for herself a lot, and she's getting to the basket," Siljendahl said of Williams. "That's what we want her to do."

Siljendahl also liked how Kayla Battle played. Battle scored 7 points and grabbed 5 rebounds.

"She doesn't necessarily score inside and she took it today and scored several baskets inside," Siljendahl said. "That's what we need her to do."

Sophomore Sofia Radice led West Chicago with 6 points.

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