Big early run sends Burlington C. past Kaneland
Burlington Central left no doubt this time.
The Rockets used an 18-2 run spanning the first and second quarters to break the game wide open and defeat Kaneland, 54-33, in nonconference girls basketball action on Pack the Place night in Burlington Saturday.
The Rockets avenged a 56-53 overtime loss last year on Kaneland’s Pack the Place night.
Samantha Pryor led the way with 21 points. Kelly Wallner had her second straight double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds for Kaneland.
Kaneland led 4-3 when Pryor’s rebound bucket started the big run. When it ended, the Rockets were ahead 21-6 and they never looked back.
“We played a really, really good all-around game,” said Central coach Mark Smith. “Defensively, I thought our guards created problems for them in the backcourt. Offensively, we were patient and got good shots for the most part.”
“We’ve been having runs in the first quarter. No matter who we play, the girls come out ready to play.”
Pryor led the way, scoring on 5 2-pointers, 3 3-pointers, and 2 free throws. She also grabbed 7 rebounds.
Alison Colby added 9 points, 9 boards and 3 blocks for Central (14-2). Shelby Holt scored 9 points on 3 3-pointers, all in the first half. Kayla Ross and Rebecca Gerke added 7 and 6 points, respectively.
Wallner was almost unstoppable inside for Kaneland (9-9), but no one else scored more than Caroline Heimerdinger’s 6 points.
“They played good defense, obviously, but we took some shots that were a little rushed,” said Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe. “It was a combination of pretty good defense and us being a little inexperienced there.”
Colombe felt that a big key was the Rockets’ ability to dictate the tempo.
“The big thing is we played at their tempo,” he said. “That was from start to finish. We weren’t trying to do that, but they were able to control the tempo.”
Kaneland got as close a 21-14 midway through the second quarter, but the Rockets responded with another burst. A basket by Pryor, followed by 3-pointers from Holt and Colby put Central ahead 29-14. The Rockets led 31-19 at the half and increased it to 43-23 after three quarters.