Bartlett wins 1st game under new coach Mello

Dave Mello picked up his first win as Bartlett's girls basketball coach Friday night at the Naperville Central Tip-Off Tournament.

With the experience and talent the Hawks have this year, it looks like it will be the first of many.

Bartlett pressed from the opening tip, making life miserable for Providence. A 15-0 run to close the first quarter opened a 19-2 lead, and by midway through the third quarter Mello had his starters out of the game on the way to a 61-26 victory.

Mello is taking over for longtime coach Denise Sarna, who was on hand Friday to watch her former players open the season.

"Overall I was very happy, very pleased," Mello said. "I am relieved. All day, in class, after school (I was nervous). I texted (a friend) that I haven't been this nervous for a game in a long time. I'll feel better tomorrow."

Sarna left Mello a veteran team. Nicole Gerdevich is one of four seniors in the starting lineup.

"With the new coach we liked his philosophy of the fast-paced game," Gerdevich said. "I think that fits us. As a team he knows our athleticism will work for us. He's a great coach."

Bartlett (1-0) got its first points on a lay-in from Gerdevich 17 seconds into the game, then Kayla Hare immediately followed with a steal and layup.

Providence turned the ball over 7 times in the first quarter. Kaitlin Brohan was particularly active on the defensive end with 6 steals, and Hare added 3.

"I thought we did really good," Gerdevich said. "We came with intensity with our press which we wanted to do. We wanted to make the other team make mistakes and score off those. I thought we did exactly that in the beginning."

It was more of the same in the second quarter. Providence (0-2) committed 9 more turnovers, and the Hawks won the quarter 20-6 to lead 39-8 at halftime.

The score could have been even more lopsided if not for several missed layups. Playing at its fast pace, the Hawks got 80 shots up, making 27 (33.8 percent) while Providence was just 11 for 34 as the Hawks outrebounded the Celtics 47-29 and committed 18 fewer turnovers.

"We have to finish layups," Mello said. "When we go back and watch the film, we could have had whatever (more) amount of points. Tomorrow against Oswego East we need to finish the easy ones."

The starters played the first four minutes of the third quarter. They went to the bench with a 48-11 lead after Brohan knocked down her second 3-pointer and Gerdevich added a basket.

Bartlett's bench also contributed. Twelve players scored led by Brohan who reached double figures with 11 points plus 10 rebounds. Hare scored 8 points and Gerdevich had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

"We got everybody in off the bench and all around everyone had a great game," Gerdevich said.

Claire Paciga led Providence with 9 points.

Bartlett continues tournament play at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Benet against Oswego East.

"I know we can play," Mello said. "I know we have girls who have been there before.

"I couldn't do any of this without (assistant) coach (Brad) Hunt. He's been around the program 10 years, he knows the competition, he knows our girls. It's never about me. Getting the first one is always good. I'm not going to complain about getting the first one, but I'm not going to be keeping track."