Geneva avenges SCN loss
Go ahead and make Geneva mad. But do so at your own risk.
The Vikings avenged their only conference loss Thursday night, breaking open a 3-point game with a decisive 13-0 run in the third quarter on their way to a 51-33 victory over St. Charles North.
The North Stars (11-11, 6-3) defeated Geneva 59-57 earlier this season, and the Vikings responded by winning basically every phase of the game Thursday. They shot better, 46 percent to 33, outrebounded the North Stars 33-25 and forced 5 more turnovers.
“They were very motivated for tonight, they have been for awhile,” Geneva coach Gina Nolan said. “From the minute we were leaving the Fenwick gym (Tuesday), Sammy (Scofield), Kat (Yelle) and I were walking out and they were talking already about this game and being focused for it and ready for it. They came out with that focus and intensity.”
Geneva scored the game’s first 7 points. The Vikings never trailed in the game, leading 20-14 at halftime and 41-25 after three quarters.
“We were pretty excited the whole week,” Scofield said. “Definitely a personal game between us and North. We had a bad taste in our mouth after the last time we met. We wanted to come out on our home floor and show them we were serious and don’t just forget about things. Almost redemption in a way. We came ready to play tonight.”
Scofield was one of three Vikings in double figures while nobody on St. Charles North reached that. Ashley Santos led the way with 16 points including her 1,000th career point. Yelle followed with 14 points and Scofield scored 10.
St. Charles North seniors Sydney Russell and Tess Fischer, who combined for 42 points in the North Stars’ earlier win, were held to 9.
“Defensively that speaks volumes,” Nolan said. “Great to see everyone contributing.”
Geneva (16-6, 6-1) stayed within a game of Streamwood (8-1) for first place in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division. The Vikings have already won at Streamwood this season and host the Sabres next Saturday.
The North Stars missed their first 12 shots until Leah Horton’s 3-point play with 2:27 left in the first quarter.
St. Charles North got as close as 24-21 in the third quarter on Russell’s 3-pointer. Santos grabbed a rebound and scored on Geneva’s next trip, her 10th point of the night to give her 1,001 in her career.
That also ignited 13 straight Geneva points. Santos drained a 3, Katelyn Allen scored twice and Yelle had the final six points in the run, most off steals.
“Our defense was very strong in the first half,” North Stars coach Colleen Brennan said. “Their pressure is good and it becomes contagious when you can’t handle the ball.”
The North Stars never got within 14 points after that. Allen added 7 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals, Santos pulled down 7 boards and Rachel Hinchman came off the bench with 3 steals.
Amanda Ciran gave the North Stars a lift with 8 points and 6 rebounds.
“She played very well,” Brennan said. “She’s an athlete. She has been playing well in practice. Our girls individually at times did some smart and good things. Geneva is a well-coached team and an athletic team. They play together, they are intense.”
Brennan gave her team a quick message after the game: “I just want them to remember how they are feeling right now.”
That’s because these teams, the top two seeds at the Class 4A St. Charles East regional, could meet again next month in a rematch of last year’s regional final won 47-45 by Geneva.