Geneva's one-two punch powers past St. Charles East

If the two toughest positions to find in basketball are a star point guard and dominating center, Geneva is sitting in about as pretty as a team can - and not just this year but the next three.

Point guard Margaret Whitley - a freshman - and center Grace Loberg - a sophomore - both scored 20 points Saturday to keep the Vikings undefeated and on top of the Upstate Eight Conference River Division with a 57-49 win at St. Charles East.

The Saints had no answer for the Vikings' one-two punch, quite the inside-outside combo.

"The key was playing as a team and playing our game and looking for each other," said Whitley, who sank 10 of 11 free throws. "It's awesome, we're playing so well, we just have to keep playing as hard as we can. In practices keep working as hard as we are."

Geneva (8-0, 4-0) played its third straight game without senior Janie McCloughan (concussion). The Vikings figure to only be that much better when she returns after notching their third River win - all on the road - over their three toughest challengers.

"I felt like tonight was the best we've looked for four quarters," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "We were in control for most of the game."

St. Charles East (7-2, 3-1) took its only leads early. Katie Claussner's pullup jumper from the foul line followed by drives from Sara Rosenfeldt and Claussner gave the Saints a 6-3 lead.

Loberg tied the game with a 3-point play, and the left-handed Whitley made a right-handed runner to put the Vikings up 10-8 ... and they never trailed again.

Moments later Rosenfeldt picked up her second foul again trying to guard Loberg down low. The Saints prized freshman sat the rest of the first quarter, and Geneva extended its lead to 16-11 after one.

"The coaches told me to go into her and be aggressive and don't be afraid to go the basket," Loberg said. "That helped a lot because we know she's a main player and a great defensive and offensive player so it was good to get her in trouble with the fouls."

Geneva's Stephanie Hart capped the first quarter with a fastbreak layup on an assist from Kate Rogers after Loberg started the play with a steal. The Saints committed 6 of their 10 turnovers in the first quarter.

Rosenfeldt picked up her third foul three minutes into the second quarter, and the Vikings capitalized pushing their lead to 24-11 on Whitley's floater.

Geneva led 30-20 at halftime and 47-34 after three quarters. Rosenfeldt again missed the final 4:50 of the third after Loberg drew her fourth foul.

"It was a little one-sided," Saints coach Lori Drumtra said. "That hurts. She got in foul trouble early. It felt like the whole game the foul trouble hurt us."

The Vikings matched their biggest lead of the night at 48-34 early on the fourth on a fee throw by Abby Novak, who had foul problems of her own sitting almost the entire first half.

Down 14 the Saints didn't quit. They cut 9 points off the lead, a run ignited when Rosenfeldt, playing center field on the Saints' full court press, stepped in front of two passes at midcourt for steals that led to layups for Claussner.

Claussner assisted Hannah Vitkus for a baseline jumper, then after Whitley missed her only free throw in 11 attempts, Kyra Washington swished a 3-pointer to bring the Saints within 52-47 with a minute left.

Free throws have been a problem for the Vikings this year, but Whitley and Novak made 5 of 6 in the final minute to seal the win.

"We're getting there. Free throws are coming," Meadows said.

"We knew that freshman (Rosenfeldt) played real physical so we told Grace you have to play physical tonight. She stepped up and did a really nice job."

Geneva outrebounded the Saints 36-25 led by Loberg's 18. She also had 4 steals. Novak added 7 rebounds to go with her 9 points.

"I've been struggling being able to finish the ball," Loberg said. "I was excited for this game. I know a lot of people who go to East. It's always fun to have a band playing and a good environment. We prepared a lot for this game."

In addition to Whitley's standout play, another Geneva freshman Hart delivered stellar ballhandling off the bench and assisted Loberg on four of her baskets.

A night after putting four players in double figures at Batavia, none of the Saints joined Claussner who had 20 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. St. Charles East shot 39 percent (20 of 51) to Geneva's 46 percent, and got to the free-throw line 17 fewer times.

"That's hard to overcome," Drumtra said. "And we didn't shoot well. I told the girls at halftime I thought we got good looks at the basket. Just couldn't convert. Just an off-night all around. I know they are disappointed. But they will bounce back from this."