Kampschroeder, Naperville North hit it big vs. Batavia
Like all coaches of great shooters, Naperville North's Erin Colletti experiences those rare occasions when she wonders aloud if maybe that particular shot she's witnessing her star take was maybe not the best choice at the moment.
But each time a little bit of doubt entered her mind Tuesday night against Batavia, her junior sharpshooter Greta Kampschroeder put her at ease by making shot after shot. Kampschroeder made all six shots she fired up in the first quarter - including three 3-pointers - and opened the second quarter with two more makes before finally missing a shot.
After helping the 7-2 Huskies to a 27-9 first-quarter explosion, Kampschroeder was well on her way to a personal-best 36 points in a 71-54 defeat of the visiting Bulldogs. Three Naperville North players hit from beyond the arc in the first 90 seconds of the game and five Huskies knocked down 3s in the contest, but this night belonged to Kampschroeder, a second-team all-stater a season ago.
"I definitely felt my shot. So that was there, so that helps," she said after finishing the night 15 for 19 from the floor against Batavia. "But one thing was my teammates were very patient. Everyone was very patient.
"We ran our plays very well. So they did a good job of getting me the ball and setting screens. I mean all those little things are really important. I was open because of them."
Bulldogs coach Kevin Jensen didn't think his defense was on key on every possession, but it sure seemed as if the Huskies saved their best shooting for his squad.
"I gave her a hard time at the end. I said you don't make that many 3s against anyone else, and she goes, 'Yeah, I don't,' " Jensen said jokingly of his postgame chat with the Naperville North standout. "I think we could have been a little bit tighter on her when she got some of those shots, but I've seen her play enough …she's gonna go to some power-five school. She's the best player for a reason."
To Batavia's credit, it didn't stop battling even after the Huskies built a 35-10 lead two minutes into the second quarter. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 39-25 at the half and trailed 39-29 early in the second half following a fastbreak basket from Erin Golden, who had 10 points.
Kampschroeder, however, added a pair of 3s and 10 more third-quarter points and freshman Layla Henderson also had two 3s in the third quarter as the Huskies retook control of the game.
Batavia 6-foot-4 sophomore Tessa Towers did her part with 17 points and 8 rebounds, but Naperville North just had too much firepower.
"We responded the way I hoped we'd respond," Jensen said. "Unfortunately, I don't think we were ready to play (at the start) … but we got some strong efforts from different girls. Three quarters looked pretty solid, but early on it looked a little dicey."
"What a stud, right," Colletti said after Kampschroeder's big night. "I was like, that's probably not the best shot, OK it went in. Then (later) we can probably work it around … OK take it. You're feeling it, you're on fire go for it. Green light. She's a stud. What can I say?"
Next up for the Huskies will be a big test Saturday against Montini.