Bartlett downs West Aurora for 11th straight win
Every team wants to head into the postseason with momentum.
Bartlett's girls basketball team has plenty.
The Hawks will carry an 11-game winning streak into their own Class 4A regional tournament next week following Thursday night's 62-42 Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division victory over West Aurora (9-15, 4-6) in Aurora.
"We're excited," said senior guard Kaitlin Brohan, who led the Hawks with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals. "We're ready to go."
Bartlett certainly was ready to go at the outset against West Aurora, jumping out to a 10-2 lead in the first 4 ½ minutes on Kelly Harris' 3-pointer from the top of the key.
Brohan added 7 first-quarter points as the Hawks built a 16-8 advantage.
That lead swelled to as many as 17 in the second quarter, thanks to a 17-6 surge spearheaded by sophomore Kayla Hare (10 points) and seniors Shelley Lyjak (7 points, 4 assists) and Nicole Gerdevich (5 points).
The Hawks did a lot of their damage at the defensive end, recording 11 first-half steals.
"We tried out a different looking press there in the first quarter and we got some steals but we also gave up some easy baskets," said Bartlett coach Dave Mello. "We went back to our reliable half-court man for the rest of the game."
Late baskets by JeMya McClendon and Keva Tomas pulled the Blackhawks to within 33-18 at the half.
Junior Kayla Battle (11 points, 12 rebounds) fueled an 8-0 run in the third quarter as the Blackhawks trimmed a 19-point deficit to 11 at 41-30.
"This was a good test," said Mello. "In the third quarter, the fouls started going against us. We had to sit a few starters (Harris and Brohan) with foul trouble but our girls off the bench came in and we actually ended up even in the third quarter when it didn't look like it at one point."
Late baskets by Hare and Mariah Martinez (5 points, 5 rebounds) helped the Hawks push the lead back to 15 at 47-32 after 3 quarters before Nina Pavell (8 points) opened the fourth period by hitting a 3-pointer from the corner to extend it to 50-32.
A late 13-3 run sealed the decision for the Hawks (20-7, 10-0).
"It has been a nice run," said Mello. "We're 20-7 with 11 wins in a row but when we take the practice court tomorrow, we're the same as everybody at 0-0."
Skylar Doby and Ashley Williams tallied 6 points apiece for West Aurora, which begins postseason play Monday against Plainfield Central.
"We couldn't get the ball in our shooters' hands," said Blackhawks coach Connie Siljendahl. "I hope we're ready (for next week). We've got some sick little girls but like I told them, 'it doesn't matter - you've still got to play.' "