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Addison Trail falters at Downers North

The Addison Trail girls basketball team got on the bus after Tuesday night’s 59-37 loss at Downers Grove North with the knowledge they battled for three quarters.

But like teams before them and teams that will come after them, in the world of basketball the lament will remain the same. If only they could have that first quarter back.

The Trojans (5-8) hit for 6 of 15 from the field in this West Suburban Conference crossover while the Blazers (4-7) managed just 1 of 11 and Downers Grove North led 16-2 after the first eight minutes.

“When you are down like that, you are not going to give yourself a chance to get in the game,” said Addison Trail coach Rob Schader.

The Blazers had a big challenge in dealing with the Trojans’ height advantage with one starter listed at 6-foot, another 6-2 and a player off the bench at 6-4.

That resulted in Downers Grove North having a big rebounding edge for the game 41-21.

The Blazers outscored the Trojans 12-11 in the second quarter but trailed at halftime 27-14. Addison Trail continued to keep pace with Downers Grove North and trailed just by 13 with less than a minute left in the third quarter. However, the Trojans responded with a 3-point basket followed by converting a Blazers turnover into a bucket, and they led 44-26 going into the final quarter.

Vilda Konopulli’s play was crucial during the second and third quarters as she scored 10 of her team-high 12 points.

“She did a great job. She’s started the last couple of games,” Schader said.

Kelsey Horvath hit for 9 points and Tory Busse had 8 rebounds.

The Addison Trail coach said the team was shooting around 50 percent at the free-throw line going into the game but bumped that average up with a 14-of-17 performance Tuesday.

Downers Grove North was led Sarah Costello’s 19 points.

The Blazers head to the Oswego East Holiday Tournament that starts Saturday and runs through Dec 29.

“We’re getting better. I have two people out with leg injuries, one out with the flu and one has a concussion. The other girls are stepping up and doing a nice job. We’re getting more consistent,” Schader said.

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