Dundee-Crown relies on defense to beat PR
Dundee-Crown will certainly have better offensive nights.
In Wednesday's semifinal game of the Class 4A Cary-Grove regional, the top-seeded Chargers won with stifling, smothering defense.
Holding sixth-seeded Prairie Ridge to 6 field goals and 20 percent shooting from the field, D-C produced enough offense to claim a 43-29 win and advance to Thursday's 7 p.m. title game against No. 4 Crystal Lake Central, a 58-55 winner over host Cary-Grove.
"We got in PR's heads and made them play faster than they wanted to," said Dundee-Crown coach Sarah Miller. "They hurried their shots because of our constant pressure. We committed a few too many fouls but I like our aggressiveness on defense. We contested their shots and made them take shots they didn't want to take. When they made some runs we got stops."
The Chargers (23-8) seized control from the beginning scoring the first 9 points. Alyssa Crenshaw scored on a putback, Gianine Boado deposited a 12-footer, Kendall Kietyka and Katelynn Skibinski scored on driving layups and D-C led 9-0 with 2:57 left in the first quarter.
The Wolves, who missed their first 8 shots, finally scored on a 3-pointer by freshman Karsen Karlblom with 1:36 left in the initial quarter to make the score 9-3.
Spearheaded by 8 points from Crenshaw which included 2 putbacks and a 3 from Skibinski the Chargers led 24-13 at intermission. Crenshaw scored 11 points and snared 11 rebounds during the first 16 minutes.
"Coach Miller really had us fired up and ready to play," said Crenshaw. "Rebounding is all about position and wanting the ball. We really wanted this game and a chance to play for the regional championship."
Miller praised Crenshaw's effort on the glass.
"She rebounds at both ends," said Miller. "She goes and gets the ball. She really gave us a lift in the first half."
The Chargers' biggest lead of the game was 39-23 after a layup by Mia Deegan with 1:46 left.
Crenshaw paced the Chargers with 15 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists. Boado added 9 with 5 rebounds while Skibinski scored 7 with a trey and Kieltyka added 6.
Miller praised Kieltyka's effort.
"She is a senior who plays with a lot of poise," said Miller. "She is our leader and she quietly had a very good game. Kendall came up with some big baskets."
The Chargers connected on 18-of-36 shots from the field for 50 percent and committed only 8 turnovers.
The Wolves (12-16), who stayed in the game making 14-of-20 free throws for 70 percent, got 9 points from Karlblom including two 3s and 8 by Alani Mocchi including 4-of-4 from the free throw line.