Boylan overcomes Dundee-Crown's fast start
Up 15-10 after one quarter of play, it seemed Dundee-Crown pulling the upset over high-regarded Boylan Catholic was a possibility.
Unfortunately, the Titans, who outscored the Chargers 37-22 during the final three quarters, forced 25 turnovers in the final 24 minutes in posting a 47-37 win in semifinal action of the Class 4A Hampshire sectional Monday night.
Boylan (31-1), winners of 11 straight, will play for the sectional title against Rockford East Thursday night at 7. East defeated Streamwood 51-45.
The Chargers, who had their 10-game winning streak ended, finished the season at 18-12. Boylan defeated D-C 56-27 on Nov 19 in the Dundee-Crown Thanksgiving Tournament.
"We came out very timid and scared and we knew D-C would play much tougher in this game," said Boylan coach Paul Perrone. "We changed up our defenses in the second quarter and put more pressure on their perimeter players. We got some turnovers, easy shots and we got to the line."
Allison Michalski, a 4-year starter, who will play college basketball at Division III Benedictine University in Lisle, scored 10 first-quarter points as the Chargers built up a 5-point cushion after 8 minutes of action.
Michalski buried a 12-footer in the lane to start the second quarter and the Chargers held a 17-10 lead with 6:55 left before intermission.
Boylan upped the heat defensively, forcing 4 straight turnovers, converting 3 into baskets during a 8-0 run.
Ashley Reyes scored 6 points as the Titans turned a 7-point deficit into a 1-point lead, 18-17 with 2:33 left before halftime.
Boylan held that 1-point advantage, 20-19 at intermission.
"We came out really strong in the first quarter," said D-C coach Sarah Miller. "We got the ball to Allison in good scoring position and played very well at the defensive end. We started having trouble with their press and Boylan certainly had the momentum going into the second half."
Leading D-C 29-27 after 3 quarters, Boylan seized control of the game by scoring the first 6 points of the fourth quarter and led 35-27 with 5:46 left in the contest.
Baskets by Michalski and Paige Gieseke pulled D-C within 35-31 with 3:36 left.
The Chargers couldn't get any closer. The Titans made 12-of-14 free throws in the final 2 minutes to seal the win.
McKenzie Brown, who led Boylan with 23 points, made 7-of-8 from the charity stripe down the stretch. Reyes scored 15, connecting on 5-of-6 from the line in the last 2 minutes.
Michalski ended her career with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.
"We had a good plan and started out fast," said Michalski. "Their pressure really got to us. It was a crazy 4-year ride."