Huntley's Andrews reaches 2,000 plateau
All-time leading scorer in Huntley girls basketball history. Check.
Signed a National Letter of Intent in November to play at the University of Illinois. Check.
Huntley senior standout Ali Andrews checked another box in her impressive high school resume during a nonconference home game against Conant Tuesday night.
Scoring a layup off a steal with 2:11 left in the third quarter Andrews garnered her 2,000th career point as a Red Raider.
The Huntley senior scored 21 points with 8 rebounds and 2 assists to help the Raiders improve to a perfect 9-0 mark in rolling to a 55-24 win over the Cougars.
"It is a very exciting and rewarding night," said Andrews, the two-time Honorary Co-Captain of the Daily Herald's Fox Valley All-Area team and a three-time all-area player.
"My teammates are great. They push me hard in practice everyday."
Huntley coach Steve Raethz is honored to a coach a player of Andrews' talent.
"Since the first game she played as a freshman Ali has been phenomenal," said the Huntley coach. "She has been the model of consistency for four years. Scoring 2,000 points in a career is quite an accomplishment. Ali has made this program great."
Holding a slim 13-8 lead after 1 quarter of play, Huntley seized control of the game by beginning the second quarter on a 10-0 run. Six points from Paige Renkosik and 4 by Andrews extended the Red Raiders' 5-point lead to 15, 23-8, with 2:45 left in the first half.
Huntley took a 19-point advantage, 32-13, into the halftime lockeroom on a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Alexis Lowitzki.
The Red Raiders made sure there wouldn't be Cougar comeback by outscoring the visitors 17-0 in the third quarter. Conant misfired on all 10 shots it took in the quarter and committed 7 turnovers.
Renkosik and Andrews each scored 6 points and Kayla Barreto nailed a 3-pointer and the Red Raiders held an insurmountable 49-13 after 3 quarters of play.
Renkosik backed Andrews with 15 points along with 3 assists in a little over 3 quarters of play.
Conant (2-7), which made only 9-of-35 shots for 26 percent and committed 23 turnovers was led by Jorie Wachal with 8 points.
"We played well early and were very patient with our offense," said Conant coach Deirdre Naughton. "We let the game get away from us and started turning the ball away against their pressure. It was a special night for Ali. She is a great player."