Wrobel, Geneva shoot past St. Charles North
When it comes to Geneva sophomore Zosia Wrobel, it's go time.
The same could be said for the Vikings.
Go time is how her coach Sarah Meadows describes the impact Wrobel is making on Geneva after a freshman season when she didn't play much in varsity games.
Wrobel has elevated her game this year, and it certainly showed again Saturday in a 60-40 DuKane Conference win over St. Charles North at the Sears Centre.
"Last year I didn't get the varsity aspect," Wrobel said. "I just have a different mindset this year and I need to contribute more. With the more playing time I needed to step up.
"My role as a sophomore has kind of got bigger. I know we have a lot of seniors this year so I have to kind of step up my game and play how I'm going to the next two years."
Wrobel scored 11 of her 16 points in the second half against the North Stars (5-4, 1-1). She sank three 3-pointers, and the versatile 6-foot forward also scored on a variety of inside moves.
"She's way stronger than she was last year," Meadows said. "She's just maturing. She worked really hard this summer. We told her last year was a learning year for you and then it's go time. I think she's really owned that and has done a nice job."
Geneva (8-0, 2-0) never trailed but got off to a bit of a slow start getting used to the longer court at the Sears Centre. Leilauni Chanthaboury scored on a drive to bring the North Stars within 9-8.
Kate Palmer and Lindsay Blackmore scored the final 5 points of the quarter for a 14-8 lead, and Geneva extended to 32-20 at halftime, holding the North Stars to 8 for 22 shooting in the first half.
"I thought we did a pretty good job, by and large, handling the press," North Stars coach Mike Tomczak said. "I thought, at times, we looked very comfortable. We were consistently getting two on one's. And when you miss 15 layups in a game, you're not going to beat a quality team like Geneva. You're just not going to."
The North Stars trailed by double digits throughout the second half. They made a brief rally within 43-32 on back-to-back baskets by Talia Pellegrini and Chanthaboury.
Wrobel's 3 restored a 14-point lead, and freshman Cassidy Arni followed with a basket on a pretty feed by Katie Montgomery before Palmer's 3-pointer gave Geneva a commanding 51-32 advantage.
"We were kind of trying to get used to the flooring because the court is so much longer," Wrobel said. "We were kind of gassed in the beginning. But I think we pulled together as a team."
Blackmore also scored 16 points for Geneva and grabbed 8 rebounds. Palmer finished with 12 points, and Arni led the bench with 8 points and 5 boards.
"Our kids are doing a nice job getting through screens," Meadows said. "We're communicating well with that. Our kids are pretty hard-nosed. Our kids like to play defense which is huge in basketball."
Chanthaboury and freshman Alyssa Hughes paced the North Stars with 10 points. Emma Nawara pulled down 8 rebounds.
Chanthaboury also had 3 steals in her return this season after missing her junior year with a knee injury.
"We love having her back," Tomczak said. "She plays as up-tempo as you're going to be able to play. She's able to pressure the ball on defense; she calms us down from a mental-emotional side of things. We love having her back. She's full-go. We try to limit her a little bit, but she's like 'No, I'm good.'"