Spagnola steps up as St. Edward downs St. Viator

The St. Edward girls basketball team proved it is more than just a one person show on Saturday night.

Six 6-foot-3 Cece Rapp plays a huge role on both ends of the court for the Green Wave, but when the senior got into foul trouble early against visiting St. Viator it was up to the rest of her teammates to carry the load.

They did just that, prevailing with a 43-30 nonconference win over the Lions in Elgin. Sophomore Madelyn Spagnola led the way with a game-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers.

"We haven't been in that position very often," St. Edward coach Michelle Dawson said. "But when Cece was out the other girls did a great job of altering their style of play and working around their own strengths. I thought everyone played their roles to perfection."

Rapp sat out the entire second quarter after picking up her second foul late in the first quarter. However, the Green Wave were able to erase an 8-7 deficit and pull ahead 19-10 with a 12-2 run. Spagnola had a putback basket, a transition bucket off a steal, and a 3-pointer during the run.

"With Cece out the rest of us had to step it up," Spagnola said. "We played more 5-out and moved the ball and drove to the basket."

Yssa Sto. Domingo also had a bucket and a free throw during the pivotal run. Taylor Schueler started it with a go-ahead jumper.

The Green Wave (10-2) shot 6-of-11 (55 percent) from the field in the second quarter and outscored the Lions 14-6 to lead 23-14 at halftime.

"We just had great ball movement and made good decisions," Dawson said. "We moved the ball until we found the openings to drive or to take the outside shot. Maddie has that potential to shoot lights out and I thought she did a great job of taking shots at the right time."

Spagnola knocked down three 3-pointers in the second half to keep the Green Wave in command.

"My teammates did a great job of moving the ball around," said Spagnola. "And got me the ball when I was open."

The Green Wave also stepped it up on the defensive end, holding St. Viator (3-7) to just 12-of-52 (23 percent) shooting from the field.

"Cece makes a huge impact on the defensive end," said Dawson. "During the times she wasn't in the game tonight I thought everyone else did an excellent job of closing the gaps inside and getting out on their shooters."

Senior Maddie McAteer and freshman Maya Clark led St. Viator with 9 points each.