Chanthaboury's 29 leads St. Charles North past Saints
After misfiring on her first three 3-point shots, St. Charles North's Launi Chanthaboury found her stroke Thursday night.
Chanthaboury broke the brief dry spell when she connected on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in the opening quarter, and she caught fire from there, scoring a game-high 29 points with a career-best seven 3-pointers to lead the North Stars (16-11, 6-5) to a 55-41 DuKane Conference girls basketball victory over St. Charles East (8-20, 3-8) at St. Charles North.
"That might have been one of the most complete and efficient offensive games that Launi has played in her four years here at St. Charles North," North Stars coach Mike Tomczak said of the 5-foot-5 senior guard who finished 9 of 15 from the field and added 4 steals.
"She hit seven 3s and did not miss a free throw."
With her team trailing 8-5 late in the first quarter, Chanthaboury broke the ice on a 3-pointer that tied the score at 8-8 heading into the second stanza.
"I felt as a team we were having a rough start, but I knew I had to focus on next play, next play, and that the next shot was going in," said Chanthaboury, who drained three 3s and scored 11 of her team's 16 second-quarter points as the North Stars carried a 24-20 halftime advantage into the locker room.
"I felt like we came out a little jumpy for this game," said Tomczak. "I thought we made some adjustments in the second quarter and executed some of our sets."
St. Charles East, led by sophomores Gabby Schmidt (12 points), Torrie Kortan (11 points) and freshman Emma Yakey (12 points), kept the game close, pulling within 29-27 midway through the third quarter.
Talia Pellegrini's inside basket gave the North Stars a 39-32 lead after 3 quarters, and Chanthaboury knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to go with a driving layup from Tatum Settelmyer (8 points, 6 rebounds) to extend the margin to 47-34 with 4:48 remaining.
Tomczak was thrilled to see Chanthaboury find her shooting touch.
"We can pencil her in for two or three big shots in the fourth quarter - we know that's going to happen," said the coach, "but if we can get her going early, we're a significantly better team."
Playing without injured senior Elle McCaslin (wearing a neck brace), the Saints' defense struggled to stop Chanthaboury.
"I don't think we closed out as quickly as we need to," said Saints coach Aubree Schuett. "There was someone in the general vicinity but maybe not as aggressive as it needed to be."
The win marked the North Stars' first season sweep of the Saints since 2010-2011.
"There's been some great North teams that have come through here and they haven't been able to take two from East," said Tomczak. "We're happy we got the job done tonight."
Earning her first start since November due to an illness, North senior Caroline Jakaitis added 4 points, 5 rebounds and invaluable leadership.
"It felt really good when Coach (Tomczak) told me (I was starting) in practice," said Jakaitis. "The team applauded for me, and I want to thank them so much because they've been here to support me the whole way. It was a great feeling today."