Sports
Girls Basketball: Marian Catholic Gains Sweep With Win Over St. Charles North
Marian Catholic 61, Saint Charles North 37. The Spartans never looked back after taking a 23-7 lead at the end of the first quarter in play at the Maine West Sweet 16 tourney.
The Hot Read: Marian Catholic started with a 49-29 girls basketball victory over Fremd in the Maine West Sweet 16 Tournament hosted by Lake Zurich. Then, the Spartans ended the day with another blowout victory over Saint Charles North 61-37. Marian Catholic jumped out to a 14-6 lead when senior guard Jasmine Matthews hit a reverse layup from behind the basket. She drew a foul and hit the free throw. The Spartans attacked the offensive glass to lead 23-7 at the end of the first quarter. The North Stars never threatened, and Marian Catholic coach Annie Basic-Byrne was able to go deep in her bench to get everyone playing time.
Patch’s MVP: Marian Catholic’s senior forward Simone Law (12 points, five rebounds). The Loyola-bound Spartan dominated the game from the very beginning in Marian Catholic’s decisive first quarter. Law scored the game’s first four points and finished the opening quarter with eight points.
Key stats: In the first quarter, St. Charles North had five turnovers and Marian Catholic grabbed eight offensive rebounds (14 offensive boards for the game). The North Stars didn’t look comfortable attacking the Marian Catholic defense until it was too late.
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Marian Catholic Leaders: In addition to Law, sophomore center Megan Walsh (8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals), senior guard Jasmine Matthews (10 points, 3 rebounds), junior guard Sarafina Handy (11 points, 3 rebounds).
St. Charles North Leaders: Sophomore guard Alex Silverman (8 points, 2 rebounds), senior forward Amanda Ciran (6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists), senior forward Tess Fischer (5 points, 2 assists).
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Quoteable: Marian Catholic coach Annie Basic-Byrne on getting bench players some minutes: “I have two freshmen that I played (guard Brianna Morrison and forward Dajhae Mullins). They got to play a lot, which is nice because I’m trying to get them groomed, so to speak, for bigger shoes to fill next year when I lose my big dogs. Your kids that always sit there and are always supportive, it’s great for them to get in.”
Team records: Marian Catholic 22-4. St. Charles North 11-13.
What’s next: Marian Catholic has one of its biggest games of the year, if not the biggest, on Tuesday when the Spartans host Fenwick. The teams are tied for first in the East Suburban Catholic Conference at 6-0. The Spartans will look to avenge last year’s loss to Fenwick, a loss that cost them first place in the ESCC.
