Crystal Lake South tops Jacobs
The Crystal Lake South machine operates on more than one engine.
Yes, junior Chanel Fanter is the main cog in the machinery. But the Gators have many functioning components that are needed to produce victories.
With Fanter struggling, connecting on only 3-of-12 shots in scoring 10 points, seniors Gaby DeJesus and Kianna Clark picked up the slack.
DeJesus scored 10 points with 5 assists while Clark contributed 9 points and snared 12 rebounds as the Gators topped Jacobs 40-33 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division girls basketball action in Algonquin Saturday.
''This is the first game all season a team has really played tough defense on Chanel," said South coach Mark Mucha. "Credit to them; they really frustrated Chanel and took her out of her game. But to our kids credit others stepped up. Gaby and Kianna really played well and gave us leadership. Any Fox Valley Conference win on the road is a good one."
DeJesus, who made 5-of-8 shots from the field, scored in all 4 quarters.
"Chanel is certainly a big part of the team," said DeJesus. "When she struggles the rest of us have to step up. We think we have a good starting five and a good bench. "
Clark, who pounded the boards, grabbed 7 offensive rebounds and had 5 at the defensive end.
"I like getting in there and mixing it up," said Clark. "I pride myself on rebounding. It was a good team win."
South (8-2, 3-0), which led 20-17 at halftime, scored the first 4 points of the second half on 2 free throws by Annika Sevcik and a layup by DeJesus to lead 24-17 with 5:55 left in the third quarter.
Jacobs' first points of the half came on a layup by Maggie Grady to make the score 24-19 with 4:19 remaining.
Jacobs (4-5, 0-2), which connected on only 4-of-17 from 3-point range for 23 percent, battled back and tied the game at 32 on a 3 by Talia Surges with 1:44 left.
The Golden Eagles couldn't take the lead in the waning moments. The Gators sealed the win by making 4-of-4 from the line in the last 30 seconds, 2 each by Hailee Massie and Clark.
Grady led Jacobs with 10 points.
"I'm proud of the way the girls battled against one of the best teams in the conference,," said Jacobs coach Joe Benoit, "We executed our game plan well and had them on the ropes."