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Dundee-Crown clinches share of FVC title

Junior standout Gianine Boado and key sub junior Arysia Harris are out for the season.

The Dundee-Crown girls basketball program has certainly faced their share of adversity during the 2019-20 season.

The Chargers have fought through all their issues and gained a share of the Fox Valley Conference championship with a 60-40 win over Crystal Lake Central Wednesday night in Crystal Lake.

The Chargers (24-6, 16-1) will win the FVC title outright with a win at Hampshire Friday night.

"We want no part of sharing the title," said D-C coach Sarah Miller. "We want to win the conference outright. We need to take care of business Friday night. We are looking forward to the challenge. We are one step closer to our goal. These girls have fought through a lot of adversity. They deserve the opportunity to play for the conference. They have worked extremely hard and invested a lot of time into the game."

D-C, holding a comfortable 34-19 lead at halftime, seized control of the game to start the third quarter.

Propelled by 2 baskets each from Katelyn Skibinski and Alyssa Crenshaw, the Chargers started the second half on a 8-0 run to take a 42-19 lead with 5:07 left in the quarter.

The Tigers' first basket of the half came on a driving layup from Nora Ryan with 4:11 left in the third quarter to make the score 42-21.

"Coach (Miller) was disappointed in our defense in the first half and stressed we had to play better and with more intensity on the defensive end," said Skibinski. "We came out in the second half with more intensity on the defensive end. Coach stresses that our defense drives our offense. We are excited about playing for a conference championship Friday night. We will be focused and ready to play."

The Chargers' biggest lead was 53-25 after a 3-pointer from Alaina Azar with 5:57 left in the game.

Out of 24 baskets, Dundee-Crown dished out 14 assists.

Crenshaw paced the Chargers with 21 points 12 rebounds and 3 assists while Skibinski scored 15 with 5 assists and Randl tallied 9 with 3 assists.

"We did a great job of sharing the ball and playing together," said Miller. "This team really connects as a team."

Paige Keller paced the Tigers (5-22, 2-15) with 11 points and Ryan scored 10.

"A lot of teams would have thrown in the towel with the type of season we have had," said Crystal Lake Central coach Derek Crabill. "This team has really stayed together. There are no egos. This team kept fighting tonight. We are playing better and are looking forward to the postseason."

  Dundee-Crown's Alaina Azar and Hannah Koehlert (22) celebrate a point against Crystal Lake Central during Wednesday's girls basketball game in Crystal Lake. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown's Katelyn Skibinski sinks a basket. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Crystal Lake Central's Hailey Geske (32) goes for a shot guarded by Dundee-Crown's Emily Oldham during Wednesday's girls basketball game in Crystal Lake. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown's Cassidy Randl (15) and Crystal Lake Central's Paige Keller (12) reach for a rebound during Wednesday's girls basketball game in Crystal Lake. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Crystal Lake Central's Lilyann Penza, left, looks to pass around Dundee-Crown's Katelyn Skibinski during Wednesday's girls basketball game in Crystal Lake. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Dundee-Crown's head coach Sarah Miller shouts out to her players during Wednesday's girls basketball game against Crystal Lake Central in Crystal Lake. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Crystal Lake Central head coach Derek Crabill talks to his players during Wednesday's girls basketball game against Dundee-Crown in Crystal Lake. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
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