Energized Antioch gets past St. Francis

Junior forward Kelly Johnson and her Antioch girls basketball teammates greeted St. Francis with plenty of energy for the semifinals of Lisle's Holiday Cage Classic on Monday.

The Sequoits remembered losing last year's semifinal to St. Edward by 1 point.

"It's so much more frustrating to lose a game by 1 or 2 points because you look (back) early on in the game if we would have done these things, we could have won the game," Johnson said.

This time, the problem was too much enthusiasm. Once the Sequoits toned their full-court attack down just a notch, the result was an 18-point run that paved the way for a 49-36 victory.

Antioch (13-2), riding a 10-game winning streak, will try to win the 16-team tournament for the first time since 2010 when it faces Hampshire at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

"It was really important for us to win this game. Just to have a second chance is really great, especially for Carly (McCameron) and the rest of the seniors," Johnson said. "I know we have the better opportunity to win this championship game."

McCameron (16 points, 8 rebounds), a usual starter who had missed the past three games, and sophomore twins Amy Reiser (13 points, 5 rebounds, 6 steals) and Ashley Reiser (10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) scored in double figures. Erika Gallimore added 7 rebounds.

The Sequoits showed just how potent they can be. Trailing 17-16 in the second quarter after 4 straight points by the Spartans (7-5), Antioch began its run to emerge in charge 34-17 with 5:53 left in the third quarter. The lead increased to 44-24 by the end of the period and as many as 23 points (47-24) with 5:33 to go.

"They're a quick team, very active. Once we adjusted to it, then we calmed down and started playing our ball," Antioch coach Tim Borries said. "I give them credit. They were prepared for us. We were making bad decisions and forcing the ball, and that's a recipe for disaster."

Before the 17-0 run, the Sequoits already had 16 turnovers, five charged to point guard Ashley Reiser. During the run, they had none and Reiser committed none the rest of the game.

"We were a little nervous, I think, going into it because we didn't really know how (St. Francis) was. We weren't as prepared as much as we usually are," Ashley Reiser said.

Ashley Reiser initiated the run with a basket and scored another. She then assisted the last two buckets over the final 34 seconds of the quarter by Johnson and Amy Reiser, a three, for a 28-17 halftime advantage.

"We really controlled the ball, tried to get it in my hands as much as possible, to kind of control the tempo," Ashley Reiser said. "It's always fun to score, but I like getting the assists because I kind of feel like part of both the pass and the basket."

The full-court pace gradually took its toll on the young Spartans, who were minus three players, including one starter. Elinor Cycenas, one of only two seniors, had 7 points and 5 steals. Six others had between six and four points, including freshman Antwainette Walker (5 points, 6 rebounds).

"I told the girls I was proud of their effort against a quality team and we just need to keep trying to build on it," St. Francis coach Mike Phillips said. "We're still learning to be patient on offense, especially when you're playing against a zone. They're obviously a very good team, quick hands. We got a little bit tired, they hit a couple of 3s and then it was catch-up after that."

The 5-foot-10 Johnson led the baseline effort of the Sequoits' 1-3-1 and 1-2-2 zone defenses and set the rebounding tone. For roughly 18 minutes between the first and third quarters, the Spartans did not get one offensive rebound.

Another plus was when the 6-0 McCameron entered in the second quarter. She had the final two baskets of the run and an 8-point third quarter.

"It was such a nice time to have Carly back under the basket with me. She's helping out on rebounds and we can always count on her inside to score," Johnson said.

Just like last year's semifinals, Johnson scored 2 points Monday, but with 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocked shots also to her credit, she contributed so much more.

"I think it basically just comes down to confidence and being stronger. I'm more ready to play," Johnson said. "As long as our team is scoring, I don't really care who it is. (And) rebounds are fun."