Huntley eases past Crystal Lake Central
With many key returnees back from last season’s team that finished fourth at the Class 4A state tournament, expectations are sky high for the Huntley Red Raiders in 2013-2014.
The Red Raiders didn’t disappoint any one in their season opener.
Outscoring Crystal Lake Central 32-12 in the second and third quarters, Huntley cruised to a 62-33 win over the Tigers in Fox Valley Conference crossover action in Huntley Tuesday night.
“Good team win to start the season,” said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. “We would like to build off our success last season. We want to get better every day in practice and in every game. Like every team, we are looking to be a cohesive team and click together as a team. I like our depth. We can play 8 to 10 kids without much drop off.”
Holding a 13-6 lead after one quarter, the Red Raiders seized control of the game in the second quarter.
Leading 17-9, the Red Raiders went on a pivotal 10-0 run to extend a 8-point lead to 18, 27-9, with 2:22 remaining in the first half.
Samantha Andrews scored 7 points including a 3-pointer while her sister Ali connected on a 3-pointer during the run.
Leading 31-14 at halftime, Huntley, which will host South Elgin tonight in the first round of the Dundee-Crown tournament, made sure there wouldn’t be a Tiger comeback by starting the second half on a 12-2 run to take an insurmountable 43-16 lead.
Ali Andrews scored 5 points and Samantha Andrews tallied 4 points while Bethany Zornow came off the Red Raider bench to connect on a shot from beyond the arc as the rout was on.
Samantha Andrews led Huntley with 20 points, 16 in the first half.
“It was a good first game,” said Samantha Andrews. “My shot felt good and it was a good way to start the season.”
Ali Andrews added 13 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners.
Crystal Lake Central, which made only 11-of-44 shots from the field for 25 percent, committed 22 turnovers against Huntley’s relentless defensive pressure.
Molly Steffen paced Central with 9 points while Evelyn Youel and Shannon Ellman tallied 6 apiece.
“Our weaknesses were certainly exposed tonight,” said Central coach Paul Lichtenheld. “The Andrews sisters are excellent players, but Huntley has a good overall team with good depth. We got some good open 8 to 10 foot shots but couldn’t knock them down.”