Bartlett blows by West Aurora
Enjoying an undefeated season in the Upstate Eight Conference until a 44-43 loss to Glenbard South last week, Bartlett is determined to use that defeat to its benefit.
In that loss the Hawks allowed 28 points to the Raiders' 6-foot-2 post Maggie Bair.
On Wednesday at West Aurora, the Hawks didn't even allow 28 points to the entire Blackhawks team.
The Hawks throttled West Aurora, learning to take away the lob entry passes inside that hurt them last week. The result was a 44-25 victory to remain tied with South Elgin for the Upstate Eight lead with a date looming next Friday against the Storm.
"It was a hard loss for us," Bartlett sophomore Justina Hernandez said. "Learning about situational basketball. We practiced and were ready to come in today and shut them down."
Hernandez scored 12 points despite missing much of the game in foul trouble. Lexie Sinclair led the Hawks in scoring with 14 points and Mackenzie Hare added 10.
But the story came on the opposite end.
"I thought our defense was exceptional especially against their big because it's something we've struggled with," Bartlett coach Brad Hunt said. "We lost to Glenbard South with lob city.
"The defense never wavered. When we got in our dry spots offensively the defense kept up."
Bartlett (21-4, 11-1) never trailed. The Hawks scored the first four points on lay-ins from Sinclair and Hernandez, though they also struggled in the first half with 18 points on 7-of-23 shooting.
That was still enough for an 18-11 halftime lead. Keva Tomas opened the second half with a basket to bring West Aurora within 5 but that was as tight as it would get as Hernandez followed with back-to-back drives that she made while being fouled to open a 23-13 lead.
"Justina was exceptional all night long," Hunt said. "She was attacking the rim and kind of broke that ice for us and warmed up this gym a little bit for us. That created lanes for everybody else."
"The person guarding me was smaller than me so it was a good opportunity to take it to the rack," Hernandez said.
Bartlett maintained a 30-17 advantage after three quarters, and West Aurora never got closer than 11 points in the fourth.
West Aurora (17-8, 9-5) had won seven of its eight entering Wednesday but never got anything going. The Blackhawks didn't score double digits in any quarter and made just 11 of 45 shots (24.4 percent) from the field, 1 of 11 from the 3-point arc and 2 of 5 free throws.
They also turned the ball over 17 times to Bartlett's 9. Dajour Miles led West Aurora with 8 points, Olivia Vanderwoude had 6 and Jalyssa Carrasco 5.
"We couldn't convert," West Aurora coach Teresa Waldinger said. "Offensively we weren't seeing who we needed to see at some key times. We couldn't finish shots. Defense was not outstanding tonight like we have been in the past. But I have to give it to Bartlett, they played a solid game. They worked. We've been playing well but tonight we couldn't finish."