South Elgin shoots past Jacobs in opener

Memo to South Elgin High opponents in 2019-2020. Defend the 3-point arc aggressively.

The Storm buried nine shots from 3-point range - seven in the first half - and opened the campaign with a 51-34 victory over Jacobs in first round action of the Dundee-Crown Thanksgiving tournament in Carpentersville Wednesday night.

"We are the smallest team in Class 4A so we are playing a lot of five-guard sets," said South Elgin coach Dan Mandernack. "The kids are really embracing the 3-point shot this season. We came out with a sense of urgency. I like our effort for a first game. You learn a lot from a first game. You take the good with the bad."

The Storm (1-0), 9-of-15 from 3-point land for 60 percent, were led by 4-year starter Megan McClure who connected on 4-of-5 from 3-point range in scoring 15 points. McClure scored the Storm's first 9 points as South Elgin jumped out to a 9-2 lead. The Storm never trailed in the game.

"Jacobs' defense sagged a little so I was able to get some open looks," said McClure. "My teammates did a great job of getting me the ball and I got a little lucky and made a few. It was good way to start the season. We work well together and help each other."

Mandernack appreciates McClure's veteran leadership.

"She is close to 1,000 points and she really kick-started us tonight with the 3s," said the South Elgin coach. "Megan gives us great leadership."

Aryanna Williams contributed 14 points and 4 assists for the winners. Caroline Croft collected two 3-pointers for 6 points and Haley Molidor and Ella Winterhalder also knocked down a trey for the Storm.

South Elgin, which led 31-19 at halftime, ensured there wouldn't be a comeback scoring the first 6 points of the second half to take a 37-19 advantage.

Jacobs (0-1), 2-of-4 from 3-point range for 50 percent, were led by sophomore MacKenzie Leahy with 13 points while Melissa Fessler chipped in with 9 points.

"I was really pleased that we came out with a great mindset and our girls gave a great effort," said Jacobs second-year coach Jon Reibel, "We played a much better first game of the season this year compared to last year. South Elgin is a very good team and is a tough team to open the season with. They really push the ball and shoot the 3 very well. I thought we did a better job in the second half defending the 3-pointer. We did a good job of running them off the line in the second half."