Maine West completes 3-peat at Dundee-Crown
Maine West won its third consecutive Dundee-Crown Komaromy Classic championship Saturday night, and the Warriors did it with defense.
With their shots, both close to the basket and from long range, not falling for the most of the first three quarters against New Trier - the Warriors were at one point 1-of-13 from 3-point range - they clamped down with a defensive effort that was nothing short of spectacular.
Maine West allowed the Trevians only 14 points through the final three stanzas in a 50-23 girls basketball title-winning victory.
"We work hard to make our defense the best it can be," said Warriors junior guard Lena Albo. "I thought that in the beginning they (New Trier) were kind of in our heads, We just had to come out and play like we know how to play."
"Defense, that's usually what we do it with," said Maine West coach Kim de Marigny. "Our kids really thrive off the defensive effort, and I thought they really kicked it up a notch in the second and third quarters."
"We missed more shots from the floor tonight than we're used to missing," added de Marigny. "When that happens you have to find another way."
The Warriors trailed 6-2 midway through the first quarter but fought back to take a 12-9 lead after 8 minutes with a 3-point play from senior Rachel Kent at the buzzer.
Maine West built on that advantage in the second quarter, causing turnover after turnover by the Trevians, and when Angela Dugalic hit a bucket late they went up 25-15 at intermission.
"At halftime we talked about how our defense was going to win us this game," said Albo. "To us it's 0-0 at halftime, and no matter what happens you've got to go out and win the second half."
"We just had a hard time scoring," said New Trier coach Teri Rodgers, who's team fell to 13-4. "We missed some shots early that would have really helped us. They're a tough opponent, but I felt we did some good things tonight and I'm excited about the second half of the season."
Maine West (18-0) extended the lead after the break on six consecutive free throws, four from Kent and two by Dugalic, while keeping the defensive pressure in high gear.
The Warriors led just 33-17 going into the fourth but a 13-0 run - highlighted by three consecutive 3-pointers from Jocelyn Jacob - put the game out of reach.
Dugalic finished with 10 points and 10 boards, while Kent scored a game-high 19.
"It was a total team effort tonight," said Kent. "When you play as a team, that just makes everything easier.
"I felt like we were a little relaxed early in the game and had to pick up the defensive intensity. Defense wins games so that's what we had to do."