West Aurora tops Bartlett to stay atop UEC Valley
West Aurora's girls basketball team relied on balanced scoring, speed and anticipation to remain atop the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division standings Friday night.
Junior guard Skylar Doby scored a game-high 13 points to lead four girls in double figures during the Blackhawks' 59-43 UEC Valley victory over host Bartlett (9-15, 3-2).
Sophomore Keva Tomas came off the bench to add 11 points and 8 rebounds, while teammates Kayla Battle and Dajour Miles scored 10 points apiece as the Blackhawks (10-8, 5-0) stayed unbeaten in conference play.
"This is a very big win," admitted Blackhawks coach Connie Siljendahl. "It's a confidence booster for the girls knowing they can do it. The girls are playing together as a team.
"Their goal is to win conference and I know we'll get there."
Clinging to a 19-17 lead midway through the first half, West Aurora began to pull away following a 12-0 run with 3-pointers from Kiyanna Rodgers (8 points, 5 rebounds) and Tomas, and a brilliant burst from Miles.
The 5-foot-5 sophomore guard enjoyed a frenetic 34-second stretch that included 5 points, 3 steals and a rebound, helping the Blackhawks build a 31-19 halftime advantage.
"She's fast," Siljendahl said of Miles, who had 6 of her game-high 7 steals in the first half. "When I see that ball going and she's there, I know she's going to get a layup.
"I think she's the fastest sophomore in the nation (200/400 meters) right now. She will get to that ball - I know she will."
Rodgers drained a pair of 3-pointers during the Blackhawks' 18-10 second-quarter surge.
"We get in the passing lanes and play hard," she said. "With our quickness, we can play the passing lanes."
Miles helped set the tone for the second half with a steal and layup that extended the Blackhawks' lead to 33-19.
West Aurora led by as many as 20 points early in the fourth quarter as Battle completed her double-double with 10 rebounds.
"Kayla has been playing really well," said Siljendahl.
Junior guard Kayla Hare had 10 points and 6 steals for Bartlett, which shot just 23 percent from the field (13 for 56), including 13 percent (4 for 30) from 3-point range.
"We've been struggling," said Hawks coach Dave Mello. "Prior to tonight, our last two games at DeKalb we only had five 2-point field goals in each game. Shooting has been an issue.
"A lot of it is West Aurora. They're very good - they're like we were last year. Last year, Kaitlin (Brohan) would score her average and 3-4 other girls would be in double figures. That's what they had tonight.
"Their defense wears on you. We were expecting a rough shooting night but not that bad."
Sarah Jurek had 8 points and Danielle Kleeman added 7 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who committed 23 turnovers.
"They're so quick," said Mello. "It was the threat of the press that got to us."