Hot-shooting Batavia knocks off St. Charles North
While an ice storm was descending upon the Fox Valley on Tuesday afternoon the Batavia girls basketball team was busy blazing a path to victory with some red hot shooting at St. Charles North.
The Bulldogs shot a torrid 71 percent (15 of 21) from the field in the first half to build as much as a 16-point lead and went on to defeat the North Stars 60-48 in DuKane Conference action.
The win keeps the Bulldogs' hopes alive in the conference race. They remain just a game behind Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton North in the loss column with one game to play.
The front-runners each have multiple games remaining including one against each other.
"I think we are playing the right way at the right time," Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. "I like the experience we have and it's great to be fully healthy again. It's allowed us to get locked into our roles. I feel good moving forward."
The Bulldogs knocked down all 4 of their 3-point attempts in the first quarter, including a pair from Hailey Orman and one each from Erin Golden and Geddy Rerko, as they jumped out to a 23-8 lead.
That opened the door for Ava Sergio inside. Sergio had a game-high 18 points with 8 points coming in the second quarter. Golden added 16 points, including 9 in the first quarter.
"The game's a lot more fun when you are making a lot of 3s," Jensen said. "We were filling it up from the 3-point line and that got Ava going."
The Bulldogs (16-13, 9-4) led 34-23 at halftime.
"In the first quarter No. 11 (Caroline Jakaitis) was all over me," Sergio said. "I became a lot more vocal to let my teammates know when I had a seal and they did a great job of getting me the ball."
St. Charles North was able to rally within 53-47 with just under 3:00 left in the 4th quarter, but could get no closer. Sergio scored the next 5 points with a bucket in the post and 3 free throws.
"I never doubted us," Sergio said. "We are feeling good about the way we are playing. It finally feels like this is our time."
St. Charles North (14-12, 5-7) was led in scoring by Anna Tate with 17 points.
"I don't think it was us digging a hole for ourselves as much as them building a mountain," North Stars coach Mike Tomzcak said. "We were getting a hand up on defense. They were just shooting the lights out."