Kaneland wins 5th straight

Kaneland turned to its defense to run its winning streak to five games Friday night in Maple Park.

The Knights held Ottawa to one field goal in the first quarter, setting the tone that lasted all night in a 37-24 Interstate Eight Conference victory.

Kaneland (5-1, 2-0) fought through screens, played solid help defense when needed and stayed disciplined while holding Ottawa (4-3, 1-1) to 28.1% shooting.

"We watched some clips and knew they set hard ball screens," junior center Kylie Holubecki said.

The Knights also forced 7 turnovers in the opening quarter. Keely Noel came up with a steal and outletted to McKensie Schueler who dished to Keley Modaff for a layup and quick 4-0 lead.

Delaney Sheehan followed with a drive, Modaff cut backdoor and scored on Holubecki's pass, and Modaff capped the first quarter with a second chance basket to go up 13-2.

Ottawa only pulled within single digits once the rest of the way briefly in the third quarter.

"We told them defense was going to need to get us going today," first-year Kaneland coach Kelsey Flanagan said. "Ottawa sets a lot of screens and backdoor cuts. We told them how important it would be to be moving on defense and give them one shot. I'm super happy with how we executed the game plan on that end."

Trailing 21-8 at halftime, Ottawa scored the first four points of the second half. That's when the 5-foot-10 Holubecki took over inside, scoring Kaneland's next 10 points all on strong moves in the paint.

By the end of the third quarter the Knights had extended their lead to 33-17.

"Everyone was looking inside and I just got some nice open looks," Holubecki said.

Holubecki led both teams with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.

"She's definitely capable," Flanagan said. "When she wants the ball she's going to get herself in position. She doesn't back down from anybody. She's going to try to make a strong move to the rim. Definitely something we have come to expect."

Modaff also reached double figures with 10 points and Sheehan added 7.

"Everything is going good," Holubecki said. "2-0 in conference is a big goal of ours. We are practicing hard, nice hard cuts and crisp passes, just starting to flow together. The younger kids on our team are working really hard and that helps."

Ella Marvel led Ottawa with 9 points.