advertisement

Bolingbrook rolls past Zion-Benton

NORMAL — Morgan Tuck no doubt hated having older sister Taylor on the bench hurt for their last game together.

She put on quite a show without her sister.

Bolingbrook’s Connecticut-bound junior scored a Class 4A title game record 36 points — two shy of her personal high — as the Raiders beat Zion-Benton 71-42 in Saturday’s 4A final at Redbird Arena for their third straight state championship.

“I know Taylor really wanted to get out there for her last game,” Morgan Tuck said, “and it was really hard not to play with her. We knew we had to go out and do it for her.”

Taylor Tuck’s free throw with 1.7 seconds left in overtime Friday had lifted Bolingbrook (29-2) past Whitney Young 50-49 and into Saturday’s final. But she rolled her ankle on the play and could only make a token appearance in the fourth quarter Saturday to shoot a free throw with the game well in hand.

Morgan Tuck struggled in Friday’s game, making just 3 of 13 field goals for 10 points. She more than made up for it Saturday.

Tuck scored 22 points in the first half, 10 during a 15-0 Bolingbrook tear that made it 30-7 with 5:56 left in the half.

“We played better as a team,” Tuck said, “and I worked a lot harder.”

Bolingbrook’s three-peat championship is the first among large schools for girls basketball, matching Teutopolis’ three straight Class A titles from 1988-90.

Bolingbrook’s win was its 66th in a row against Illinois opponents dating back to the 2008 state final. Nobody doubted that streak would continue, but the Raiders weren’t taking any chances.

“We knew we couldn’t take (Zion-Benton) for granted,” Morgan Tuck said. “We wanted to come out and play this like it was our toughest game.”

Tennessee recruit Ariel Massengale had 3 points and a title game record 11 assists and Falon Edwards scored 8 points. Keiera Ray, in her first year at Bolingbrook after transferring from Waubonsie Valley, also scored 8 points.

“I was willing to put in the hard work to get what I wanted and a better opportunity for myself,” Ray said. “It feels so good to be down here for the first time. I’m glad I was able to contribute.”

Juanita Robinson scored 14 points for Zion-Benton (27-7), which was making its first state appearance.

  Zion-Benton’s Juanita Robinson is called for traveling as she drives the lane as Bolingbrook’s Cabriana Capers and teammate Kierra Ray provide strong defense in the girls Class 4A Girls Basketball Tournament at the Redbird Arena in Normal on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Zion-Benton’s Juanita Robinson drives for the basket but misses the bucket as Bolingbrook’s Ariel Massengale provides defense in the first half in the girls Class 4A Girls Basketball Tournament at the Redbird Arena in Normal on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Zion-Benton’s Helena Rodriguez drives for the basket but pressure from Bolingbrook’s Kierra Ray and Allie Hill forces her to pass the ball in the first half in the girls Class 4A Girls Basketball Tournament at the Redbird Arena in Normal on Saturday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com