Big third quarter helps Huntley notch 1st win

Coaches always stress the importance of beginning the second half on a positive note.

Huntley (1-2) certainly adhered to that philosophy.

Nursing a slim 15-14 lead at halftime, the Red Raiders scored the first 8 points of the second half and cruised to a 38-25 win over Palatine in action at the Dundee-Crown Thanksgiving Tournament Saturday.

"We talked at halftime about tightening up our defense and playing better defense on the ball," said Huntley coach Steve Raethz. "We played better defense collectively and played with more a sense of purpose. It is nice to get a win. They earned it."

Kamsi Nwogu scored 6 points and Anna Seng scored on a layup as the Red Raiders extended a 23-14 lead with 4:18 left in the third quarter.

Palatine, which connected on only 2 field goals in the second half, didn't score in the third quarter until Madisen Stark buried a pair of free throws with 3:29 remaining to make the score 23-17.

Melanie Simon's putback with 1:18 left was the Pirates' only field goal of the third quarter to cut the Huntley lead to 23-19. That was as close as the Pirates would get.

Leading 25-20 after 24 minutes, the Red Raiders seized control of the game to start the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run and led 32-20.

Nwogu scored all 7 points during the run including a 3-pointer. The talented Huntley sophomore center scored 21 points with 12 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.

"She was really a good player last year for us but she has improved this year because of a lot of hard work in the offseason," said Raethz. "She has developed more inside moves and is really using her left hand effectively to get her shot. She has also developed a perimeter game and can knock down the 3."

Nwogu is happy the hard work in the offseason worked out.

"I played a lot of AAU ball and have worked hard in the gym on my game," said Nwogu. "I feel fully prepared for the season. I felt good in the warmups I would have a good game. This is a good win for the team."

Palatine coach Mark Johnson was impressed with Nwogu's game.

"We played really good defense on her (Nwogu) all night," said Johnson. "She made a lot of contested shots. She has a lot of subtleties in her game. She was a tough draw for us."

Briana Bower backed Nwogu with 6 points a pair of 3's for the winners.

Stark led the Pirates with 12 points, 6 in each half.

"I was encouraged with the way we played," said Johnson. "We are taking baby steps. I like that we held Huntley under 40. If we hold teams in the MSL (Mid Suburban) under 40 we will be in a lot of games."