Girls Basketball Holiday Tournament Roundup
By Tony Baranek tbaranek@southtownstar.com December 26, 2012 10:46PM
Lockport's Paige Kooi (21) takes the ball to the hoop against Rich South's Verneisha Anderson (45) during the Hillcrest Holiday Classic girls basketball tournament in Country Club Hills Wednesday, December 26, 2012. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media
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Wednesday’s second-round assignment was not an easy one at the Hillcrest Holiday Classic was not an easy one for Lockport.
It was No. 1 seeded Rich South.
“I think we came out a little intimidated and we shouldn’t have. But we didn’t give up,” Lockport’s Nora Polaski said after a 46-30 loss.
Paige Kooi finished with eight points and eight rebounds, Polaski six points and five rebounds for the Porters (5-6), who earlier in the day defeated T.F. North 51-36.
Rich South (13-2) was led by Tierra Webb (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Dasia Evans (12 points, 10 rebounds)
Lockport couldn’t have had a more difficult start against Rich South, which forced 10 turnovers and raced up and down the court to a 14-2 lead.
The Porters were down 18-6 early in the second period before they gained a fair amount of balance, but once they did they were competitive.
Morgan VanKuiken and Kooi went back-to-back for Lockport’s first consecutive points to cut the deficit below double digits, and the count stood at 24-17 at halftime.
After a pull-up jumper by Naomi Mayes and a follow-up jumper from the side by Polaski, the Porters were within 24-21 in the early minutes of the third period. Rich South, however, was able to ease back away via a flurry of points by Evans and a three-pointer by DeAsia Garrett.
“We had to get used to their quickness,” Polaski said of Rich South. “We kind of let them set the tone in the beginning instead of making them play our game.”
In the win over T.F. North, Mayes and VanKuiken had 16 points each and Anna Novak three steals as the Porters built a 23-7 first-quarter lead and cruised from there.
Lisle Tournament
No. 6 Coal City 42, Timothy Christian 36: Emily Halliday contributed 20 points and Britta Spelde chipped in 11 to propel Coal City (11-2). Both players also pulled down seven rebounds.
Montini Tournament
No. 1 Plainfield East 65, Oak Park 52: Faith Suggs netted 18 points and Nina Maggio scored 16 to lead Plainfield East (13-0). Gabby Williams added 11 rebounds for the Bengals.
No. 5 Romeoville 45, Hinsdale South 44: Kiera Currie (18 points) made the second of two free throws with 3.4 seconds left to win it for Romeoville (13-1). Angelica Osusky tacked on 10 points for the Spartans.
Oswego East Tournament
Aurora Central Catholic 69, Plainfield Central 39: Nicole Pease (19 points) set school and tournament records by making six three-pointers for Plainfield Central (2-11).
York 47, Joliet Central 22: Bernasia Fox contributed eight points for Joliet Central (2-9).
Metea Valley 63, Plainfield North 46: Carlie Corrigan poured in 13 points to boost Plainfield North (4-6).
Contributing: Josh Krockey
