Zogran, Antioch extend streak against Lakes
The home crowd roared after she blocked a shot with just under 3 minutes left in the game.
Actually, Antioch senior guard Shannon Zogran got a kick out of it.
"I'm only 5-4, so it's awesome getting a blocked shot once in a while, especially on a fast break," Zogran said after pouring in a career-high 19 points that helped Antioch cruise past rival Lakes 74-47 in North Suburban Prairie action Saturday night.
And actually, the home crowd has had plenty to roar about not only on this night but for the entire season. So far the Sequoits are 16-2 overall and stayed unbeaten at 7-0 in the Prairie after the win over Lakes. Antioch is also on a current 13-game winning streak.
"I've been in the program for 19 years and head coach for 8 and as far as I know, I think we're setting a lot of records this season," said Antioch head coach Tim Borries, whose team won 23 games last year. "I'm just in awe sometimes when I watch our defensive effort. We're challenging every shot and the girls all like each other and the communication is outstanding between them."
Chemistry is definitely an important factor in the teams' success. Everyone stepping up and producing no matter the situation have also been huge factors for the Sequoits.
And Zogran was the one who stepped up and help get Antioch off to a blazing start after she hit 3 treys and the hosts jumped ahead 28-10 after the opening stanza.
When Zogran wasn't connecting it was sophomore guard Ashley Reiser, who scored all of her 6 points in the first.
Antioch stayed the course in the second quarter as Zogran popped in 7 more, while sophomore guard Amy Reiser complemented her with 5. The Sequoits' pressure defense and being quick to the ball resulted in 7 steals while forcing 10 first-half turnovers as they went into the locker room comfortably ahead 46-19.
Zogran was quiet in the third, but never fear - any of these Sequoits are more than capable of picking up the load, much to Borries' delight.
"Someone always steps up and our scoring is so balanced," he said.
In the third, junior forward Kelly Johnson got it going in the paint, scoring 8 of her 12 points. Sophomore guard Amy Reiser, who led all scorers with 20 points, added 5 in the period with the game well at hand.
Antioch's biggest lead was 73-33 after Zogran hit 2 free-throws with 4:39 left in the game. Lakes kept battling though and closed the game strong with a 14-1 spree. Sophomore guard Natalie Iacopetti and sophomore post player Isabella Quaranta each popped in 5 points in the fourth. Both finished with 12.
"They definitely got after us," said Lakes coach Pete Schneider, who team slipped to 8-8 overall and 3-2 in the Prairie. "We're still working on the basics. We need to improve on defense and rebounding."
Antioch won 23 games last year, which according to Borries is a record for wins in a season. Looks like that's in jeopardy this year.