Willowbrook takes first step toward conference crown
With thoughts of a conference title this season, Willowbrook started off the West Suburban Gold portion of its schedule in impressive fashion Tuesday night at Addison Trail.
The Warriors blitzed the host Blazers with a 25-2 first quarter and went on to claim a 66-26 victory to improve to 7-0 on the year.
Willowbrook pressured Addison Trail (1-5, 0-1) into 12 turnovers and 1-for-8 shooting from the floor in the opening quarter while guard Molly Krawczykowski had 3 field goals and went 5 for 5 from the free-throw line to tally 11 of her game-high 19 points in the first eight minutes of the game.
“Today was our first conference game this season so we all were super-excited because our goal is to win conference this year and go undefeated,” said Krawczykowski, who had 3 offensive rebounds and a pair of steals to go with her 19 points. “So we were just ready to go.”
That the Warriors were. Lauren Carroll scored the night’s first basket on a fastbreak following a steal by Sam Schmidt, and then Krawczykowski followed with a three-point play and then a putback for a quick 7-0 lead.
Katie Dziabis got the Blazers on the board with a layup off a feed from Brianna Murray just more than three minutes into the game, but Willowbrook closed out the quarter with an 18-0 run that pretty much secured the visitors’ win.
“The pressure defense kind of helps us get in our offensive play,” Willowbrook coach Terry Harrell said. “We’re not extremely big so our half-court sets don’t always get us great shots. Today the girls were real active in the frontcourt and a got a few steals. And even when we didn’t get steals we were causing some turnovers.”
Addison Trail protected the ball a little better in the second quarter and picked up baskets from Dziabis and Stephanie Messina, but the Warriors still built their lead to 43-12 at the half thanks to the strong play of Krawczykowski, Melissa Rader and Schmidt.
Rader scored all 7 of her points in the first half and also had 5 rebounds and a blocked shot, while Schmidt finished the game with 6 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals. Post player Jada Stills came off the bench and had a big night for the Warriors with 12 points and 8 rebounds.
“No, there’s not a lot to complain about tonight,” said Harrell, whose team will play a key WSG contest Saturday at Proviso East. “We played good defense and we were able to get rebounds and run as well, which was very helpful.”
Annina Beltrano led the Blazers with 7 points, while Dziabis and Connie Barkoulies each added 4 points.