Post by slt on Feb 19, 2010 9:45:18 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/sports/2058003,2_2_AU19_WEST_S1-100219.article
Warriors turn in dominating performance
February 19, 2010
By PAUL JOHNSON For Sun-Times Media
Few knew what to expect when Waubonsie Valley's girls basketball team welcomed a new coach, three new teammates from Neuqua Valley and a freshman into the fold this season.
But in a few short months, that uncertainty has been washed away with a regional championship.
The second-seeded Warriors moved on to the Class 4A Oswego East Sectional with a dominating, 55-28 win in Thursday's Class 4A West Aurora Regional title game against the host Blackhawks, the No. 12 seed.
"The funny part is that we're still learning," Waubonsie coach Kim Connell said. "We still have a lot to learn, but the future looks great, as long as I don't ruin them. I'm very happy with the way we played tonight."
Connell was leery of the fact that her Warriors had beaten West twice in the regular season, once at Thanksgiving and again over the holidays. But her fears were erased early, as the Warriors' pressure defense and hot shooting from the outside from sophomore Tami Morice got Waubonsie (25-2 overall) off to a quick start. The Warriors led 10-0 and had forced five turnovers before West (12-16) was even able to get off a shot from the field.
Early in the second quarter, the Warriors' lead was 21-6. The lead stood at 31-12 at the half, with Morice pouring in 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and Waubonsie's defense forcing 13 turnovers.
"I didn't have a good feeling about this game all day," Connell said. "You're playing a team for the third time, and you're playing them on your homecourt. We really came out strong and were able to maintain the lead. It was our defense."
Connell joked that Morice was saving her 3-pointers for the game, since she went 3-of-15 in the 3-point contest prior to the game. But she had no such problems in the game, finishing with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
"I was just ready for this game," Morice said. "We were all pumped up, cheering each other on. I didn't do too well in the 3-point contest, so I knew I had to get it going in the game. That's more important."
The Warriors move on to face No. 5 seed Benet, who upset Naperville Central in the Redhawks' own regional Thursday. They will play Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader at Oswego East at 8:10 p.m. The winner moves on to Thursday's sectional title game.
The loss ended the careers of West Aurora veterans Kiara Towles and Devin Vaughn. Vaughn led the Blackhawks with 13 points and Towles added nine points and eight rebounds while battling foul trouble throughout the game.
Warriors turn in dominating performance
February 19, 2010
By PAUL JOHNSON For Sun-Times Media
Few knew what to expect when Waubonsie Valley's girls basketball team welcomed a new coach, three new teammates from Neuqua Valley and a freshman into the fold this season.
But in a few short months, that uncertainty has been washed away with a regional championship.
The second-seeded Warriors moved on to the Class 4A Oswego East Sectional with a dominating, 55-28 win in Thursday's Class 4A West Aurora Regional title game against the host Blackhawks, the No. 12 seed.
"The funny part is that we're still learning," Waubonsie coach Kim Connell said. "We still have a lot to learn, but the future looks great, as long as I don't ruin them. I'm very happy with the way we played tonight."
Connell was leery of the fact that her Warriors had beaten West twice in the regular season, once at Thanksgiving and again over the holidays. But her fears were erased early, as the Warriors' pressure defense and hot shooting from the outside from sophomore Tami Morice got Waubonsie (25-2 overall) off to a quick start. The Warriors led 10-0 and had forced five turnovers before West (12-16) was even able to get off a shot from the field.
Early in the second quarter, the Warriors' lead was 21-6. The lead stood at 31-12 at the half, with Morice pouring in 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and Waubonsie's defense forcing 13 turnovers.
"I didn't have a good feeling about this game all day," Connell said. "You're playing a team for the third time, and you're playing them on your homecourt. We really came out strong and were able to maintain the lead. It was our defense."
Connell joked that Morice was saving her 3-pointers for the game, since she went 3-of-15 in the 3-point contest prior to the game. But she had no such problems in the game, finishing with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
"I was just ready for this game," Morice said. "We were all pumped up, cheering each other on. I didn't do too well in the 3-point contest, so I knew I had to get it going in the game. That's more important."
The Warriors move on to face No. 5 seed Benet, who upset Naperville Central in the Redhawks' own regional Thursday. They will play Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader at Oswego East at 8:10 p.m. The winner moves on to Thursday's sectional title game.
The loss ended the careers of West Aurora veterans Kiara Towles and Devin Vaughn. Vaughn led the Blackhawks with 13 points and Towles added nine points and eight rebounds while battling foul trouble throughout the game.