Wheaton North bounces back against Downers Grove North

Motivation is sometimes hard to come by at tournament third-place games, but Wheaton North found enough.

The 2016 Bill Neibch Falcon Classic champion, disappointed at being denied a chance to repeat on its home floor, wanted to finish the 2017 tournament on a positive note.

"It was really important for us to make a stand and to respond after yesterday because it was a tough loss," Falcons junior Jenna Kortenhoeven said of a 47-45 defeat to West Aurora. "We weren't pleased with how we played so we wanted to come back and really just work together and really focus on rebounding."

Kortenhoeven was a big reason the Falcons claimed a 44-30 victory against Downers Grove North on Friday night and third place. She scored in double digits for the first time, tallying 10 points plus 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

Naturally, she credited point guard Sophie Ahlberg for her scoring.

"Sophie is the one who was passing it to me. I couldn't have done it without her passes. She's a really good teammate," Kortenhoeven said.

But her stat line also is a sign the forward is growing into her role.

"With more experience I've been feeling more comfortable. I've got a lot of experienced teammates out here with me helping me. They've all done it already so they're helping me," she said.

Top-seeded Wheaton North (12-3) scored the game's first seven points and led 15-3 after one quarter. The Trojans (7-10) never could catch up, try as they might.

"I think we've done that every game in the tournament," Downers North coach Stephan Bolt said, "and against teams like Glenbard South, yesterday, and a team like Wheaton North, it's really tough to recover from a hole you dig like that."

The Trojans never got closer than 9 points the rest of the way.

"We fought to the end. We tried to make a run. I think (the Falcons) did a great job executing down the stretch." Bolt said.

Hannah Swider and Nikki Baird led the Falcons with 13 points apiece. Julia Kramper scored 11 for the Trojans, and Jalyn Harris added 10.

"We're still trying to find how to put 32 minutes all together," Falcons coach Dave Eaton said. "We've figured out how to work hard. Now we just have to do it the entire time. On a day like today it's a grind. Your legs just aren't going to be 100 percent under you playing four games in four days."