Fenwick too much for Bartlett
The Bartlett girls basketball team found itself in the unusual position of trailing throughout a game Thursday night.
The situation didn't suit the Hawks.
Fenwick led from start to finish and handed Bartlett its first loss, 65-47, in the championship game of the 28th annual Charger Classic at Dundee-Crown.
“Being our first loss, I think we saw how we reacted in tough situations,” Hawks coach Denise Sarna said. “We've talked about this all year long, we've seen it against a lot of teams. We think we can just turn it off and turn it on. You can't do that.”
The Friars (15-1) led 5-0 after just 45 seconds on a basket and a 3-pointer from Kyra Navarrete. Kristin Conniff's basket with 4:40 left in the first quarter got the Hawks (15-1), within 2, 10-8. But an offensive rebound and putback by Jade Owens and a 3-pointer from Kathleen Roche quickly increased Fenwick's lead to 7, 15-8.
Bartlett wouldn't get closer than 5 the rest of the game.
“We couldn't find our rhythm,” said Conniff, who was an all-tournament selection. “We have lots to work on. We have to have sparks throughout the whole game.”
The Hawks tried to play to rally, but the fast pace wasn't beneficial. They forced shots, going 8-for-30 in the first half. They turned the ball over 11 times in the first two quarters and trailed 34-21 at halftime.
“Offensively we made some poor decisions,” Sarna said. “We did get flustered and it forced it to rush.”
Bartlett came out in the second half with a bit of a spark. Jacki Gulczynski, an all-tournament selection, hit a 3-pointer from the left corner 30 seconds into the third quarter. Janessa Baker added another 3-pointer. A Gulczynski basket and 3-point play from Conniff got the Hawks within 6, 38-32, with 5:43 remaining in the third quarter. After Roche hit 2 free throws, another Baker field goal made it 40-34.
Fenwick answered with a 5-0 run in 45 seconds to increase the lead back to 11, 45-34, with 2:18 left in the third. Bartlett would get the deficit under double figures for just 25 seconds the remainder of the game.
The title was Fenwick's ninth overall at the tournament and the sixth in the last seven years. The Friars lost in the championship game to New Trier last season.
“I think this is the best we've played,” said all-tournament selection Navarrete, who finished with 23 points and 9 rebounds. “It's been a team effort the whole way.”
All-tournament pick Sarah Williams added 11 points for Fenwick. Roche, also an all-tournament selection, had 10 points. Hannah Ballard finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Conniff and Gulczynski each had 13 points to lead the Hawks. Baker finished with 9. Haley Videckis, an all-tournament pick, was held to 5 points.