Huntley's defense shines in win over Jacobs
The defensive numbers are staggering.
Huntley, under coach Steve Raethz, is known for its defense. They held Jacobs to 1 field goal on 1-of-20 shooting and 4 points in the first half Monday. The Golden Eagles misfired on all 7 of their shots from beyond the 3-point arc during the first 16 minutes.
The Red Raiders forced 12 Golden Eagles turnovers during the half. Huntley, which led 16-4 at halftime, cruised to a 41-27 victory in Fox Valley Conference action in Algonquin Monday night.
"We played collectively great defense in the first half," said Raethz. "We didn't miss a beat. We guarded well off the dribble."
The Red Raiders (5-4, 3-2) seized control of the game to start the second half. Led by 5 points from Kamsi Nwogu and a layup from Ashley Guazzo, Huntley scored the first 7 points of the third quarter and held a 23-4 advantage with 6:33 left in the third quarter.
The Golden Eagles scored their first points of the quarter on 2 free throws from MacKenzie Leahy with 5 minutes left to make the score 23-6.
Huntley's biggest lead was 36-13 on a 3-pointer from Racquel Radermacher with 4:18 left in the game.
Nwogu, who scored 10 points in the third quarter, paced the Raiders with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.
"I was taking quick shots in the first half but we slowed it down in the third quarter," said Nwogu. "We got multiple reversals in the second half and moved the ball to get easy shots. We played with great defensive intensity the entire game."
Raethz likes the way Nwogu is improving as a player every game.
"Kamsi is doing a better job of getting to the rim and around the rim," said the Huntley coach. "She seems more and more comfortable shooting the 3 every game."
Radermacher, with two 3s. added 10 points for the winners.
Jacobs could only muster 7 field goals in 40 attempts for 17 percent. The Eagles, committing 18 turnovers, were 1-of-15 from 3-point range for 6 percent.
Leahy paced the Eagles (3-7, 1-4) with 12 points (6-of-6 from free-throw line), 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots.
"Mackenzie is getting better and growing every game," said Jacobs coach Jon Reibel. "She shows a poise for a sophomore. She did a great job in the second half of getting to the free-throw line. She does a great job of using her length defensively. She is playing well and will start showing up on opponents' scouting reports."
Reibel likes his team's shot selection despite the woeful shooting.
"We got good looks off our offense even in the first half," said the Jacobs coach. "The shots just didn't fall. We kept battling and crawled back in the game. I will never question our effort or intensity. It is always there."