Kaneland blows by Rosary

One team entered Tuesday's Rosary-Kaneland contest the healthiest it has been all season.

The other sported a new starting lineup, rewarding players who made practices over break.

The result was predictable, a 62-37 Kaneland victory after entering on the heels of what coach Ernie Colombe said were the team's three best practices of the season.

"Tonight was the first night we had a full roster," Colombe said. "Our practices had a lot of intensity, high energy, and when we play like that we've got some pieces and we can do some damage."

One of those pieces is 6-foot-3 junior Bailey Crimmins. Kaneland (9-3) went to her inside early and often.

Crimmins responded with 8 first-quarter points as the Knights opened a 20-9 lead.

"We knew they didn't have anyone to match up with me inside so that was the game plan, working inside-out," Crimmins said. "I feel we are playing really well, we're always practicing really hard."

Crimmins finished with 15 points, tying freshman Jennifer Weber for game-high honors.

Weber supplied the "outside" of that inside-outside game, sinking four 3-pointers. She scored 12 points in the first half which ended with Kaneland in control leading 33-17.

"I thought we got them to take some tough shots," Colombe said. "I thought a bunch of kids contributed. Everybody fed off our defense and got involved offensively. We were happy with how we came out tonight."

Camri Conley scored 5 points in each half to finish as the third Kaneland player in double figures with 10 points. Madison Edwards also played strong inside backing up Crimmins with 8 points.

"Conley has been doing a nice job, coming into her own, getting us going," Colombe said. "They are really listening, really focused on being 1-0 each game. When we do that we can be pretty tough."

Rosary (4-10) made 4 field goals in each of the 4 quarters to finish 16 of 60 (26.7 percent) from the field.

The Royals played the first half without senior point guard Quincy Kellett who missed two of the team's games at the Dixon Tournament while playing in a soccer tournament in Orlando.

Kellett scored 5 points in the second half. Megan Conlin also came off the bench for a team-high 9 points and 7 rebounds, and Adrienne Winkel added 8 points.

Junior Taylor Drozdowski had to be carried off the court with an injury with just 34 seconds left in the game.

"We had some girls miss some practice over break so we were trying some new things. Other people were there and they earned their spot and see if they can step up," said Royals coach Jessie Terrell, who added the soccer tournament went well for Kellett, an elite soccer player who picked up a couple more Division I offers.

"It's hard because of the inconsistency. As soon as we get something going it feels like we are starting over again. It's been a long season but we are really playing for the regional that we are hosting. We're trying to get better and better for that every day."