Eidle's hot again as Hersey downs Prospect
When you're hot, you're hot.
That's the case lately for Hersey freshman forward Katy Eidle.
Eidle scored 27 points in back-to-back games for the 19-6 Huskies against St. Charles North Monday at Batavia and then Tuesday night at Prospect in Mid-Suburban East girls basketball play.
"Katy has really been turning it on the last handful of games," said Hersey coach Mary Fendley. "She works so hard to get to where she is at now."
The 67-49 win at the Jean Walker Field House gives Hersey a 4-1 slate in conference play with a showdown next Tuesday against Buffalo Grove looming.
"I'm feeling more comfortable on the floor," said Eidle. "Scoring early in a game helps me get in gear. If I'm not hitting I'm looking to help get others involved. I want to do what I can to help us win."
Eidle and junior star Mary McGrath, who scored 17 points, started the Huskies on the right track in the first quarter in opening a 16-6 lead.
Eidle hit for a pair of 3-pointers, guard Mary Kate Fahey scored 4 points and McGrath 3 points.
The Knights (9-10, 1-4) rallied late in the quarter with 7 straight points to end the quarter trailing 16-13.
Summer Srodulski made her presence felt with two baskets in the first quarter and 6 rebounds.
But, foul trouble plagued Srodulski who picked up two fouls in the first quarter and her third at the start of the second half. Srodulski would finish with 7 points and 10 rebounds.
Balanced scoring and defense went Hersey's way as it outscored the Knights 15-6 and forced 5 turnovers. The Huskies led 31-19 at halftime.
Prospect pulled to within 39-30 following Eliot Dojutrek's (13 points) basket with 4:16 left in the third quarter.
Eidle would score 6 points in an 11-2 run to finish the quarter with Hersey leading 50-32.
"The score doesn't tell the story but this was a big improvement for us," said Prospect coach Marie Miller. "They (the Huskies) are a very talented team and they hurt us on the boards and transition. We have a new offense and it can be frustrating and we know good things aren't going to happen overnight. We're trying to build on it. This group has a great attitude."
Andie Will tied Dojutrek with 13 points for the Knights. Ellen Sherwood scored 10.
"I have to give Fahey a lot of credit tonight," said Fendley, whose team has now won eight straight. "With her running the point teams have a hard time defensing us. We have a potential to score a lot of points. With that, it might change teams' dynamics in trying to defend us. Right now, I think we are hitting our stride."
Eidle and fellow freshman Meghan Mrowicki were made to feel right at home when the season started.
"The other players and coaches have worked really hard with us," said Eidle. "I'm feeling more comfortable on the court each game since the start of the season. This was an important conference game for us. These are games we need. We have to be ready every game and play with intensity."
Fendley feels that this team is close-knit.
"We have a lot of gym rats on this team," said Fendley. "It starts in practice. A lot of the times they get to the gym before me. Our older players have shown the younger players the way to become winners. "