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Santos stars in Geneva’s opener

After never playing a minute her first two years at Geneva, Sydney Santos’ season debut for the Vikings’ girls basketball team could not have been much better.

The senior forward pumped in six of the Vikings’ nine 3-pointers in scoring a game-high 26 points to lead Geneva to a 61-40 victory over Andrew on Saturday afternoon at the Rachel Bach Tournament, hosted by Glenbard East.

The Vikings (1-0) return to Lombard Monday evening to face Glenbard North (0-1).

Geneva scored the first 13 points of the game as Santos connected on all three of her field-goal attempts from beyond the arc.

“Shooting is all confidence for everyone,” said Santos, who missed every Geneva game as an underclassmen with knee injuries. “I felt confident shooting 3s.”

Geneva has been beset by season-ending injuries to key players in recent years.

Michaela Loebel, the Vikings’ floor general, played her first game in almost an entire year; the senior was lost for the year in the championship game of this eight-team tournament last season.

Loebel, battling foul issues for much of the game, converted two 3-pointers to highlight her 7-point effort.

“I felt ready (to play) because I had been preparing for it,” Loebel said. “Obviously, I was nervous but I was pumped for (my return). I’m more cautious about (pregame) stretching.”

After scoring only 4 points in the first quarter, Andrew (0-1) rebounded rapidly in the second quarter.

Molly Franson, who led the Thunderbolts with 16 points, hit back-to-back 3-pointers to frame a 9-2 run.

“Our help-side defense (in the second quarter) was awful,” Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said.

But the Vikings went to their trademark 2-3 zone after restoring their lead to 30-23 at halftime.

The resulting confusion it created was evident with the rash of Andrew turnovers that characterized its first-quarter play.

Geneva limited the Thunderbolts to fewer second-half points than Andrew scored in the second quarter alone.

Franson was the only Andrew player to score in the third quarter as Santos single-handedly outscored the Thunderbolts with two 3-pointers and a conventional field goal.

“I played against Syd in the summer,” Franson said. “(Geneva) is a good team. They knock down their shots and rebound hard. A good team with good chemistry.”

Geneva scored the first 5 points after the intermission, and Andrew would never come within single figures for the remainder of the game.

Veteran Morgan Seberger complemented Santos’ game-high total with 11 points for Geneva.

Abby Novak, Janie McCloughan and Dana Greene combined for 17 points for the Vikings.

“I’m just excited to get better with my team,” Santos said.

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