Kaneland's Chloe Conley and Wauconda's Jessie Pakaski reach for the ball Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
It's always nice to have college and the next four years set up.
Wauconda senior forward Allie Tylka signed to play for Florida Atlantic University last week.
Usually that motivates a basketball player even harder.
"You always want to compete because it makes you and your teammates better," Tylka said.
Tylka delivered in Wauconda's season opener Thursday night. The 6-foot guard/forward scored a team-high 19 points to help lift the Bulldogs to a 66-63 overtime victory over Kaneland in the first round of the Turkey Tourney hosted by Wauconda.
"It was a fun first game," Tylka said. "Of course it takes everyone a little while to get started. But my teammates set good screens that got me some good looks."
The two squads played back and forth for a while in the extra session. Freshman forward Mackenzie Arden's steal and layup put the Bulldogs ahead 64-63 with 23 ticks left. Then Tylka was fouled and converted on 2 of 2 free throws to seemingly salt the game away with 6 seconds left.
Kaneland had a chance but couldn't get a last shot off.
Wauconda had a 53-52 lead toward the end of regulation, but Knights junior guard Keeley Noel made 1 of 2 foul shots to draw the contest even and force the extra session.
Noel led all scorers with 20 points, while senior guard Hannah Armin chipped in 12.
Complementing Tylka was Arden with 12 and sophomore forward Kiley Szmajda with 11.
As expected, turnovers were plentiful for both teams.
"We have a lot of new faces but a good core," said Wauconda coach Jaime Dennis, whose girls play Belvidere at 7 p.m. Friday. "We're hoping to gel the experience with the new faces."
Kaneland will play its second-round game against Richmond-Burton at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
"We have a new team, but we have a lot of potential," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "And a long way to go."
Kaneland's McKenzie Schueler passes away from Wauconda's Kiley Szmajda, Jessie Pakaski and Maddie Carver Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland's Hannah Armin loses the ball as she drives through Wauconda's defense Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland's Keely Noel runs into Wauconda's Ella Karg Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland's Maddy Wheatley drives under Wauconda's Audrey Deaver Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland's Bryanna Kigyos and Wauconda's Audrey Deaver tangle for a rebound Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland's Maddy Wheatley shoots over Wauconda's Maddie Carver Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland's Hannah Armin fights for the ball with Wauconda Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Wauconda's Jessie Pakaski reaches for the ball that Kaneland's Keely Noel shoots Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Wauconda's Allison Tylka drives into Kaneland's Kelsey Modaff Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Wauconda's Jessie Pakaski is defended by Kaneland's Hannah Armin Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Kaneland's Chloe Conley defends against Wauconda's Jessie Pakaski Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Wauconda's Maddie Carver is stopped by Kaneland's Keely Noel Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Wauconda's Jessie Pakaski shoots between Kaneland's Bryanna Kigyos and KcKenzie Schueler Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Wauconda's Ella Karg reacts to a foul call against Kaneland Thursday in a girls basketball game in Wauconda.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com