Streamwood holds off Crystal Lake S.
With standout Jessica Cerda plagued with foul trouble most of the game, Streamwood coach George Rosner was looking for someone to step up in Cerda’s absence.
Deja Moore provided the spark Rosner was looking for.
Scoring 14 points, including 9 in the third quarter when Cerda was on the bench, Moore keyed Streamwood’s 49-42 win over Crystal Lake South in second round action at the Dundee-Crown girls Thanksgiving tournament Friday night.
“Deja was outstanding,” said Rosner. “She gave us offense with Jessica on the bench.”
The Sabres (2-0) started fast then staved off a late Gator rally.
Led by 8 points from Hannah McGlone and 5 from Cerda, the Sabres, who made 10 of 15 shots for 60 percent, led 21-14 after 8 minutes.
Led by a pair of 3-pointers from Cerda, Streamwood jumped to its biggest lead, 27-14, with 6:18 left in the quarter.
The Gators whittled away at the lead the entire game and to within 1 of the Sabres, 41-40, with 2:55 left on a layup by Sara Mickow.
South couldn’t get any closer.
“The first quarter killed us,” said Gators coach Kyle McCaughn. “We didn’t come ready to play and chased them the whole game.”
Along with Moore, Cerda scored 14 points in less than 3 quarters of play.
Mickow led South with 17 points.