Dundee-Crown handles Hononegah, advances to championship game
Defense, defense and more defense.
That was Dundee-Crown's motto in a 55-39 win over Hononegah in third round action of the Dundee-Crown Thanksgiving tournament in Carpentersville Saturday afternoon.
The Chargers held the prolific scoring Indians to only 13 baskets (13-of-40, 33 percent) and limited Hononegah to only five 3-pointers in the contest (5-of-20, 25 percent).
The Indians managed only 6 baskets and 2 treys in the second half. Hononegah placed fourth in the state in Class 4A last season.
"Our defense motivates our offense," said D-C coach Sarah Miller. "We were able to use our speed to get easy, simple baskets."
The Chargers (3-0 tournament, 3-0 overall) were finally able to seize control of the game in the fourth quarter.
Securing a narrow 37-31 lead after 24 minutes, the Chargers scored the first 6 points of the final 8 minutes to grab a 43-31 advantage. Alyssa Crenshaw scored 4 points and Gianine Boado scored on a layup as Dundee-Crown opened up a double digit advantage.
Hononegah broke the scoring drought on a 3-pointer from Julia Burns with 5:22 left to cut the Chargers' lead to 43-34.
The Indians didn't get any closer.
The Chargers' dynamic duo of Crenshaw (8 points) and Boado (6 points) combined for 14 of D-C's 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Boado, with two 3-pointers in the first quarter, paced D-C with 18 points to go along with 3 assists and 7 rebounds.
"Gianine does a great job of handling the basketball and feeding the ball to the open person," said Miller. "She has a great basketball IQ."
Boado tallied 8 points in the first and 10 in the second half.
"I was able to hit two 3s early and that gave me a lot of confidence in my game," said Boado. "My teammates passed me the ball in my pocket where I feel comfortable shooting the ball. Our defense was outstanding and we really worked well together. We are 11 deep and everybody contributes."
Crenshaw added 14 with 12 rebounds and 3 blocked shots for the winners.
Arysia Harris came off the Chargers bench to contribute 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
With only 10 turnovers, D-C connected on 22-of-45 from the floor for 49 percent.
Haley Warren scored 9 on three 3-pointers for the Indians.
South Elgin and Dundee-Crown, both 3-0 in the tournament, will battle for the championship at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
"This is the first year in my seven years at Dundee-Crown we are playing for the championship of this tournament," said Miller. "South Elgin is a very tough team who likes to shoot the 3. It should be a fun game."