Boylan knocks out St. Francis

There are such things as off nights, and Monday's Class 3A Rochelle sectional semifinal was just bad timing for St. Francis.

Perhaps the magnitude of attempting to claim the school's first Class 3A sectional plaque was too much for St. Francis. The Spartans clearly lacked the spark needed to take down a tradition-rich Rockford Boylan squad that has its sights set on a seventh sectional crown.

The Titans' 55-33 triumph advances them to Thursday's championship against Burlington Central.

Boylan (23-9) began the second quarter with a 10-0 surge for an 18-7 lead. The best St. Francis (21-11) could do was get within 9 on three occasions.

"We didn't do a lot right," St. Francis coach Melissa Taylor said. "Yes, shots weren't dropping, but 28 turnovers didn't help. Shooting just 50 percent at the (free-throw) line didn't help. That was completely not a representative effort of how we try to play."

Neither team was on fire for the opening eight minutes, and both sides gave up possessions with greater regularity Dodi Fehrle nailed one of her two 3-pointers to begin the second quarter, Jordan Hendriks stole the ball to add a three-point play before McKenzie Brown and Sarah Welsh both drove down the lane to fuel the 10-0 start.

Antawainette Walker hit two free throws for the last time the Spartans were down single digits with 5:40 left before halftime. However, Boylan continued to routinely drive the lane or past St. Francis defenders, chalked up rebound putbacks, and scored off turnovers to claim a 34-18 halftime lead. The gap grew to 19 after three quarters, and the high water mark of 24 occurred in the final minute as reserves finished the contest.

"They had a hard time settling into their offense," said Boylan coach Paul Perrone. "I think a key was our pressure. They were definitely out of sync, but I also believe we frustrated them."

St. Francis was led by Walker's 9 points followed by 6-point contributions from Isabel Bettag and Shelby Winkelman.

"We came together over the course of the season and this was a rough night, but I think there's a lot to be taken from this year," senior Kelly Joniak said. "We learned a lot more than basketball, some life lessons we can all use."

"We have an unbelievable coaching staff that will build off our strengths and improve on our weaknesses," Taylor added. "Without assistants Dean (Thomas), Greg (Webb) and Meghan (Hanika), this season definitely wouldn't have been as successful."