Timothy Christian looks to rebound after defeat

The way Coal City hit 3-point shots Friday night at the Lisle Holiday Cage Classic, the Timothy Christian girls basketball team had to be at its best.

The Trojans struggled all game, falling in their tournament opener 41-23 as the Coalers hit 8 of 16 3-pointers.

"The other team was shooting very well, but our defense was terrible," said Trojans coach Michele Strube, calling it her team's worst game of the season. "We don't play defense like that. How many times does it take to get through a screen or know it's coming?

"They have done so well this year with adjusting. We play different defenses for different teams. I mean they've been great. So that's why this is very hard for me today."

The Coalers just 6 of 20 from inside the arc, were led by Nicole Borgetti's 13 points and Carly Pavlis' 11. Both players hit three 3-pointers.

Coal City jumped out to an 11-1 lead after one quarter. Sophomore guard Allison Zeilstra hit the Trojans' first field goal of the game at the 6:04 mark of the second quarter, making the score 13-3. It was 24-5 when senior Kaitlyn Gehrke scored again for the Trojans with 1:50 left in the half.

The 6-foot-1 Gehrke led the Trojans (6-6) with 9 points and 11 rebounds, plus 2 blocked shots.

"Usually she's been 15, 16 (rebounds) every game," Strube said. "She's usually double-doubles every game. She's usually consistent with that."

The Trojans play Reed-Custer at 5 p.m. Saturday in the consolation bracket. Senior Juliana Stremler, who missed Friday's game, is expected back in action Saturday.