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St. Charles North dumps Hampshire for first win

Early in the season, experienced teams have a decided advantage over those not so experienced.

Such was the case Friday night when the St. Charles North girls basketball team broke free from an even first quarter to roll to a 53-28 win over Hampshire at the Hoffman Estates Thanksgiving tournament.

"The big key was their experience," said Hampshire coach Mike Featherly. "We're so young with varsity experience and playing three games in four nights, the experience kind of takes over."

After a 13-13 first quarter the North Stars (1-2) led 17-15 with 5:27 left in the first half. Then, a 3-pointer from sophomore point guard Launi Chanthaboury ignited a 15-4 SCN run to the halftime break that effectively put the game away.

After making 6 of their first 9 field goal attempts, the Whip-Purs (1-2) were held to 2 of 20 shooting through the final three quarters.

"We came out with a lot of intensity and we let our defense drive that," said North Stars coach Mike Tomczak. "We had energy on both ends. Whenever you come out with the defensive intensity we had in the first quarter you worry about a letdown but we were able to maintain it."

Where the North Stars' defense was most evident was in the paint, specifically on 6-foot Hampshire freshman Kelby Bannerman. After scoring 6 points in the first quarter, Bannerman was held to just 2 free throws and 0-for-8 shooting the remainder of the game.

"She's a very strong player, especially for a freshman," said SCN senior Anna Davern, who guarded Bannerman most of the night. "We just had to get loud and communicate and our bench helped a lot with that."

On the offensive end the North Stars, who bounced back from a 47-point loss to No. 3 Maine West on Thursday, were relatively smooth most of the night. They were 21 of 45 shooting and 8 of their 19 turnovers were in the fourth quarter with the starters out.

Chanthaboury led the SCN scoring with 17 points, including four 3-pointers. Davern, a Colorado Springs recruit, scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Junior Annie Tate added 12 points and 9 rebounds before leaving the game late in the third quarter after appearing to roll an ankle on a layup attempt. SCN won the rebounding battle 33-24.

"The theme in the locker room was to be selfless, play together and get better shots," Davern said.

Carrying a 32-19 lead into the third quarter, Tate and Davern scored the first two baskets of the second half and the North Stars never let Hampshire make any kind of run in the second half. North's biggest lead was 29, 53-24, after a 3-point play by senior Caroline Shafer with 3:43 to play.

Bannerman's 8 points led Hampshire. She added 5 rebounds. Juniors Ally Cermak and Sarah Bowen (6 steals) had 5 points each for the Whip-Purs.

"This is a good tournament for us," said Featherly. "We get to see different opponents and different styles. And tomorrow's another day."

The tournament continues next weekend. St. Charles North takes on Proviso West and Hoffman Estates to conclude the tourney while Hampshire faces Maine West and Proviso West.

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