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Cary-Grove upends Dundee-Crown

Katie Sowa was determined to lead her Cary-Grove girls basketball team to victory Friday night.

Sowa, with 22 points, led the Trojans to a 51-40 victory over Dundee-Crown in Fox Valley Conference action in Cary Friday night.

With the win the Trojans, 4-4 overall, move to a perfect 3-0 in FVC action.

"We had a really bad season last year and we were determined to start off the season fast," said Sowa. "We are happy to be 3-0 in the conference. My shot felt good all night."

Holding a narrow 24-21 lead early in the third quarter, the Trojans seized control of the game with a 13-0 run. Sowa, who connected on 3-of-5 shots, scored 11 of the Trojans' 13 points during the pivotal surge.

With 2:18 left in the quarter Cary-Grove led by 16, 37-21.

"When Katie gets going she can carry us," said Cary-Grove coach Rod Saffert. "She really had her shooting touch tonight.''

Allison Michalski, who fouled out with 33 seconds left in the game, canned 2 free throws to break the scoring drought and make the score 37-23 with 36 seconds left.

The Trojans led by 14 heading into the final 8 minutes.

The closest the Chargers got was 47-40 on a 3-pointer by Kennedy White with 39 seconds remaining.

Cary-Grove sealed the win with 4 free throws by Katie Demert in the final 20 seconds.

"It was a really good defensive effort," said Saffert. "We played four quarters of solid defense. (Paige) Gieseke and Michalski are very good offensive players and are very athletic. We did a good job of getting both of them in quick foul trouble. Winning the first three of the conference season is a good way to start. The conference is wide open. Everybody has a chance to win it."

Abby Getka, who played on the varsity as a freshman, missed all her sophomore season with a torn labrum. Getka backed Sowa with 9 points.

"It was really tough to watch last season and not be able to play," said Getka. "It is just nice to be able to play and contribute. It is a lot of fun playing again. The coaches had a very good defensive plan and it was a very good win."

Before fouling out, Michalski paced D-C (1-5, 0-2) with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Gieseke, who was saddled with foul trouble, scored 9 points. Junior center Maddie Tripp missed the game due to injury.

The Chargers, who were hindered by 23 turnovers, connected on only 10-of-25 from the free throw line.

"We were 10-of-25 from the free throw line and lost by 11," said D-C coach Sarah Miller. "Free throws win games. Foul trouble hurt us and we had a lot of turnovers. We started in a hole and could never get out of it."

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