Prospect handles St. Charles East
Even though Prospect's girls basketball team jumped out to a 10-2 lead over St. Charles East, the Knights knew there was no room for complacency at their own Jean Walker Field House on Wednesday night.
"In our first few games we had leads and let the other team come back on us," said Knights senior Ashley Adams. "So that's been our goal and what we've been working on - not giving up our lead, keep playing our game and not panicking."
Sure enough, when the Saints rallied to tie the game at 10-10, the Knights held their composure.
They built the lead back to 15-10 when Jessica Kowalczyk fired home a 3-pointer with 5:40 left in the second quarter and never trailed in a 50-37 nonconference triumph in Mt. Prospect.
Adams played her part, equaling her season-high 20 points with nine field goals.
Kowalczyk ended up with 10 points and a pair of 3 pointers while her twin sister Stephanie had 7 points. Abbey Danciu and Helen Siavelis each scored 5 points with one 3-pointer.
"We always say our offense starts with our defense," Adams said. "And I think that showed. Obviously we are going too fast break but we held a tight help line and played tight defense which led to the fast break."
Senior Ashley DiOrio's fastbreak layup got the Saints (1-7) to within 17-15 but another 3-pointer from Jessica Kowalczyk, a 17-footer from Adams and 2 free throws from Jessica Kowalczyk led to a 24-17 at intermission.
The visitors, led by seniors Taylor Shead (10 points), DiOrio (8) and Emily Vitkus (6), never got closer than 5 points in the second half.
Both teams had 17 field goals. However, Prospect (5-2) converted 12-of-17 at the free throw line while the Saints were 3-of-4.
"We made young mistakes," said Saints coach Aubrey Schuett. "But we are continuing to make progress. We need to keep plugging away and refine some things. They shot 17 free throws and we had four so we just have to clean up the little things.
"We've certainly made progress defensively. We need to do a better job on the glass. We are not rebounding as well as I know we can but we are going to get there."
Prospect gets back to action on Friday when Elk Grove visits. Both teams are 1-1 in the Mid-Suburban East.
"It always good to win at the Jean Walker," said Knights coach Marie Miller. "Friday will be a good indicator as to where we are. Elk Grove is really athletic and a scrappy team. They like to box out. They play very had. We cannot lose the battle of the boards if we want to be successful."
Adams' other 20-point effort came two games ago against Barrington.
"We've been working to get Ashley's shot back and getting her in her rhythm," Miller said. "As long as she finds her confidence, she is fine. And we all believe in her so she just has to execute."