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Burlington Central opens with blowout win

The Burlington Central girls basketball team opened its season with a 74-15 win against Rockford Jefferson Monday in the Lady Rockets Thanksgiving Tournament in the debut for first-year coach Collin Kalamatas.

Elana Wells scored 22 points in less than three quarters and the Rockets closed the game on a 60-4 run for the easy victory despite playing without four-year starter Kat Schmidt sidelined with a sprained ankle.

Burlington Central led just 14-11 late in the first quarter after a Jefferson 3-pointer. The Rockets proceeded to score the next 44 points. The J-Hawks didn't score again until a free throw in the waning moments of the third quarter. Jefferson didn't record another field goal until the final minute of the game.

With their smothering pressure defense leading to plenty of fastbreak points, the Rockets were particularly effective in the third quarter. They made 13 of 15 shots while outscoring the J-Hawks 30-1.

"They were taking some pride in not having given up a field goal since the end of the first quarter," said Kalamatas. "They're excited and eager to get out and defend."

The Rockets forced 32 turnovers and held the J-Hawks to 19% shooting.

Avery Andersen scored 15 points and Lily Moretti had 12 on four 3-pointers. Rylie DuVal added 8 points and Reili Gardner grabbed 5 rebounds for Burlington Central. All 11 Rockets to see action scored.

Burlington Central jumped ahead 10-0 following back-to-back breakaway layups by Wells. Jefferson came back with 2 straight 3-pointers by Karley Colson and eventually closed within 14-11.

But after that brief run, the Rockets' defense slammed the door. A 3-pointer by DuVal closed the first quarter scoring, and Central shut out the visitors from Rockford in the second quarter, increasing the lead to 33-11 by intermission.

The Rockets, who continue tournament play Tuesday against Larkin, hope to get Schmidt back next week.

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