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Maine South rolls by Warren

In its first game back after the holiday break, Maine South's girls basketball team showed defensive intensity and forced a number of turnovers.

So much so that its opponent, Warren, couldn't handle the pressure early on.

Maine South took advantage in its own favor and pulled away with a 58-28 nonconference victory in Park Ridge on Wednesday night.

The Hawks' Niamh Gardinerr had a game-high 18 points but thrived on 9 steals and 4 rebounds and her twin sister Nicole added 6 points, 6 rebounds and a couple of steals.

"We do like to play defense," Niamh Gardiner said. "Defense is really an important part of our game. We try to get steals and not let the ball get out to the wings."

Maine South (12-5) with its pressure scored off several turnovers and had an 18-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and led 31-17 by the break over Warren (7-11).

"We do pride ourselves on defense," Maine South coach Jeff Hamann said. "Niamh does have some length, she's active, athletic and we do have multiple kids that can do that. That was an very impressive performance by her."

The Hawks have been trying to make their defense apply pressure against pervious opponents this season and it's getting better.

"We have been improving on that," Hamann said. 'We have a full court, then we go a half-court into a quarter-court pressure defense and it has been improving. But with our length on the wings, it did create some problems for (Warren). We were able to make a run with the half-court pressure trap late in the first and into the second quarter."

Maine South was playing its first game since its loss to the defending state champion Maine West in the Dundee Crown Classic championship game in Carpentersville.

"Warren was a good program and they were physical," Hamann said. "They play hard and for us to come out for the first game of 2020, playing like we did, we're very happy."

Micaila Kline led the Blue Devils off the bench with 9 points and 7 rebounds and Macy Kocen added 6.

Warren was playing two games in two days, after a victory over Grayslake North 57-37 on Tuesday night.

"Playing a team like Maine South, they force you to be good on every possession," Warren coach John Stanczykiewicz said. "We're talking about a team that played Maine West, one of the best teams in the state, and lost by six. This was their first game back from Christmas and we were in a back-to-back situation. (Maine South) forces you to be accountable on every play. We just weren't up for the task. We did some good things, but didn't do enough good things in a row. We're still inconsistent and sporadic. We'll learn from this and get better."

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