Patel's triple-double lifts West Chicago past Fenton

As part of a rebuilding West Chicago program, Shailee Patel might not receive a lot of headlines.

But Wildcats' opponents certainly recognize the talent of the junior point guard.

On Thursday Patel put her skills on full display, accomplishing a rare feat - a triple-double - in West Chicago's 51-34 home win over Fenton in Upstate Eight Conference action.

She finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 steals as the Wildcats (3-9, 1-5) ended their eight-game losing streak.

"We just need to continue to work as a team," said Patel, who completed the triple-double with a defensive rebound with three minutes left. "We haven't had a lot of wins so far so this feels good. We are definitely improving a lot from last year. We got more people to try out. We have all four levels this year. It's awesome to see the program growing."

The key stretch occurred in the second quarter, when the home team erased a 4-point deficit with an 18-0 run. Patel had 8 points in that spurt while Sadie Obenauer knocked down a pair of 3-pointers. The junior forward ended up with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

"We've been in a tough stretch," West Chicago coach Mark Fitzgerald said. "We've played a lot of good teams. But we are growing and learning. That's our third win, that's a big cliff for us to get over. I couldn't be prouder of them.

"Shailee is tremendous. She is the glue that keeps us together. She just has so much poise for a junior. And Sadie has been playing so well. All of the kids stepped up. I am thrilled. That's my Christmas present."

Emily Toran added 9 points for West Chicago, which increased its 32-17 halftime advantage to as many as 20 points in the fourth.

Turnovers ultimately derailed any hopes of a Fenton (5-6, 1-6) comeback. The Bison finished with 34 giveaways and also went cold from the 3-point arc after making three to begin the game.

Hailey Miller did total 10 points and 13 rebounds.

"We hit those 3s right away," said Fenton coach Dave Mello, whose team finished 7 of 50 from beyond the arc. "I thought we might be in a good stretch. But all the credit goes to Coach Fitzgerald and what he is doing here at West Chicago. They played a great game. They had a lot to do with what we didn't do.

"Yeah, we would have liked to be over .500 going into Christmas. But we rarely talk about our record, even last year when we won 16. They are doing what we want them to do."