Karg feels it, Wauconda wins
Wauconda sophomore Ella Karg guesses it's happened about 3-4 times this season. While in the locker room before a game, her legs start shaking.
Whether it's nervous excitement or something else, it's a good thing, mind you.
"Sometimes I have this feeling that I'm going to have a good game," Karg said. "It's weird."
She and her basketball teammates hosted a much-improved Round Lake team in Northern Lake County Conference action on Thursday night. Karg couldn't contain her excitement. Her legs shook.
"I just knew we had to beat them," she said.
Karg made sure of it.
The second-year starting point guard had a good game indeed, sinking four 3-pointers and pouring in a career-high 19 points to go along with 4 assists, as Wauconda captured a 71-46 decision that was closer than the final score indicated.
Florida Atlantic-bound Allie Tylka netted a season-high 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 4 steals, as Wauconda improved to 8-2 and 4-2 in the NLCC.
"They're always a scrappy team," Tylka said of the Panthers. "They always play hard on defense, and they hustle everywhere. They've definitely improved executing on offense and on defense as well. You can always expect Round Lake to be tough on you, no matter what. This year they've really stepped it up."
Round Lake (6-6, 3-3) was looking to match its win total from last season. The Panthers already have one more NLCC victory than they did a season ago.
"They've all really done a nice job of building the expectation of playing hard every day in practice and in games," Round Lake first-year coach Molly Hennig said of her players. "They expect that of each other. It's nice to see that for them, especially the seniors."
Round Lake, which was led by senior guard Giselle Raygoza's 14 points (two 3-pointers), played its eighth game in a row without starting guard Taylor Major. The freshman scored 45 points in the Panthers' first four games but sprained her MCL against Zion-Benton. She could be back soon.
"She's very talented for a freshman," Hennig said. "With her going down we've had to make some adjustments, but we've responded well."
Wauconda is improved too. The Bulldogs have had back-to-back seasons of 14-14 but have won three in a row for the second time this season. They led Round Lake most of the night, including 35-28 at halftime thanks in part to Karg's three 3s and 11 points in the second quarter.
"We got more basketball players than we've ever had, where basketball is their No. 1 (sport)," said Wauconda coach Jaime Dennis, whose team is averaging nearly 20 assists per game. "We got a lot of basketball experience and knowledge in those young kids. Some of them are playing year-round."
Wauconda freshman Mackenzie Arden continued her strong play with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, plus 5 assists. The Bulldogs also received 6 points and 9 rebounds from sophomore center Kiley Szmajda. Arden had three of the Bulldogs' season-high nine 3-pointers.
Round Lake opened the fourth with a basket from Samantha Nicoline (7 points) and 3-pointer from Raygoza to get within 48-42 with 6:35 to go, but Karg answered with a 3 and Szmajda scored in the lane. The Bulldogs ended the game with a 23-4 run.
Panthers freshman center Amari Cole had 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocks.
"This is a game I was nervous about," Dennis said. "(Round Lake) is never a slouch. They always play hard, they always play to the end, and you can never let up."