2012-2013 Girls'
Basketball Focus
No matter how the Montini girls basketball roster might change, the results remain the same.
With Thursdays 60-51 victory against Walther Lutheran in Melrose Park, Montini (27-1) clinched its 10th consecutive conference championship, completing a 10-0 run through the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division. Since the 2003-04 season Montini is 111-3 in conference play.
Weve been pretty darn good, Montini coach Jason Nichols said. Weve been consistent.
Nichols hasnt been happy with his teams play lately, however.
Were winning games, but right now were just not doing it very well, he said. In the three games since Whitney Young and our four or five practices, were just disinterested, and its leading to bad games on the floor. Wed better wake up or its going to be an early exit in the postseason.
I felt that we couldve played a lot better, 6-foot-1 sophomore Rainey Kuykendall added, but its good to get the win overall.
A 13-0 run from the end of the first quarter and into the second gave Montini a 25-11 lead with 4:36 to play in the second after Dana Turners free throw ended the streak, and the lead peaked at 19 points.
But Turner hit three 3-pointers the remainder of the period to help Walther Lutheran (20-6, 8-2) pull to within 9 points at halftime. Walther Lutheran never got closer than 7, when Anna Strongs steal and layup cut the Montini lead to 57-50 with 1:17 to play in the game.
Kuykendall came off the bench to lead Montini with 18 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks and a good idea.
It was the first time I ever listened to her in her life, Nichols said. She asked if she could play the post a little bit more. I said all right, well put you down there, and look what happened.
Since middle school I played in the post, and when I got to Montini I went to guard, Kuykendall said. Im just more comfortable with it.
Kateri Stone added 13 points and Sara Ross had 11 for Montini.
Turner finished with 16 points for Walther Lutheran before fouling out. Isimeme Edeko added 11 points and 17 rebounds.
Follow Orrin on Twitter@orrin_schwarz
Montini Catholic High School
Conference: Suburban Christian Blue
- Girls basketball/Fox Valley all-area team
- One last look at Fox Valley girls basketball
- With an injured Stone, Montini just wasn't the same
- Montini nabs 3rd place in Class 3A
- Images: Vernon Hills vs. Montini