For the first time in his 10-year coaching career, coach Andy Nussbaum had his entire Naperville Central team scout an opponent earlier this week. The Redhawks traveled to Carol Stream on Thursday to study 11th-ranked Wheaton-Warrenville South in its victory over Glenbard North.
“I think it really paid off,” Nussbaum said after Naperville Central (11-8, 6-0) knocked off Wheaton-Warrenville South 49-39 Saturday in Naperville to remain tied for first place with West Aurora in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Naperville’s victory came, in part, because the Redhawks shut down Wheaton South’s Charliss Ridley, thanks to Alison Lentzkow’s defense. Ridley came in averaging 19 points a game.
“Different coaches have different philosophies,” said Nussbaum. “One of the philosophies I was brought up with was, `Don’t let their best beat you.’ “
The strategy worked as Ridley was held scoreless until the fourth quarter and finished with only four points. “I was on her (Ridley) the whole time,” said Lentzkow. “I tried to get in front of her and keep her from getting the ball at all when she was within 10 feet of the basket.”
Naperville took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 13-1 after trailing 22-16 at the half. For the game, Wheaton South (17-3, 5-2) shot 11 of 44.
Rebecca Traen led Naperville with 14 points. Wheaton’s Kristin Miller led all scorers with 16.
Hinsdale Central 44, Lyons Township 42: Hinsdale (14-5, 7-1) beat eighth-ranked Lyons (15-3, 5-2) for the second time this season, holding off the Lions for the West Suburban Silver victory in LaGrange. Ashley Homeyer led Hinsdale with 17 points; Katie Meyers scored 14 for Lyons.
Amanda Papuga, who transferred to Lyons from Fenwick and became eligible a month ago, did not play after being declared ineligible by the Illinois High School Association. The player’s family is appealing the ruling.
Warren 53, Lake Forest 44: The 19th-ranked Blue Devils (18-3, 6-1) used Nicole Thompson’s 18 points, six rebounds and six assists to top No. 18 Lake Forest in the North Suburban. Thompson had eight points in the fourth quarter to spark the Blue Devils.
“Thompson got us going in the fourth quarter. She stepped up her scoring and delivered some great passes for us,” Warren coach Bruce Campbell said.
Becky Moo added 14 points for Warren, and Sarah Spain’s 18 points led Lake Forest (15-4, 6-1).
Benet 55, Rolling Meadows 45: Vanessa Lichon scored 14 points to lead No. 14 Benet (15-4). Jaclyn Jares had 19 points for Rolling Meadows (12-5).
West Aurora 67, Glenbard East 41: No. 10 West Aurora (16-3, 6-0) stayed atop the DuPage Valley behind Cindy McGinnis’ 16 points and seven assists.
Antioch 41, Mundelein 36: Aja Brown and Amy Carlberg each scored 12 for Antioch (10-8, 2-5) in the North Suburban.
Cary-Grove 58, Woodstock 33: Liz Malmen scored 16 points to lead Cary-Grove (16-3, 9-2) in the Fox Valley. Dani Kinter had 10 in defeat for Woodstock.
Downers Grove South 56, Proviso East 37: Tess Kochen (16 points) and Cheriz Bradley (13) paced Downers (13-7, 6-2) in the West Suburban Gold. Erica Jones scored 11 for Proviso (8-13, 2-7).
Elgin 43, Lake Park 35: Kristin Groth’s 14 points, six rebounds and four assists sparked Elgin (8-10, 6-2) in the Upstate Eight. Liz Yerly had 13 points for Lake Park.
Galesburg 53, Maria 43: Despite 18 points by Mary Cain, Maria (17-6) fell to Galesburg (15-1), which was led by Megan Pacheco’s 16 points.
Grayslake 49, McHenry 40: Grayslake (10-5, 6-5) outscored McHenry 19-5 in the third quarter in the Fox Valley. Kate Oszkandy led the victors with 14 points. McHenry fell to 10-9, 5-6.
Good Counsel 64, Mt. Assisi 45: Amanda Marquez scored 20 points, 15 on three-pointers, and Bridget Carlson added 15 for the Chargers (16-3, 3-1) in the GCAC White.
Hinsdale South 68, Morton 59: The Hornets (17-1, 8-0) rolled in the West Suburban Gold behind Corinne Pahr’s 23 points and four steals and Becky Kostal’s 17 points and four assists. Antoinette Gross scored 15 for Morton (8-9, 3-5).
Joliet Catholic 50, Marian Catholic 49: Megan Serena scored 18 points and Annie Basic 17 to help the Hilltoppers (8-11, 3-2) prevail in the East Suburban Catholic. Leslie Doyle had 17 for Marian.
Libertyville 75, North Chicago 64: Allison Farrington’s 34 points led the Wildcats; Kristal Coleman’s 24 points paced North Chicago in the North Suburban.
Morris 71, Kaneland 29: Laney Pellegrini (20 points) and Adrianne Leschewski (16) led Morris (16-1, 4-0 Suburban Prairie White). Kaneland is 7-10, 1-3.
Nazareth 51, Chicago Christian 40: Therese Uhlarik powered Nazareth (15-4, 8-1) in the Private School League with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Palatine 42, Glenbrook North 36: Karen Hagberg’s 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks led Palatine (11-9); Rebecca Adams scored 19–15 on three-pointers–for Glenbrook (9-12).
Resurrection 43, Providence 41: Resurrection (13-9) pulled out the non-conference victory with Annie Mendyk’s 15 points. Amanda Murphy scored 14 for Providence (13-10).
Riverside-Brookfield 50, Evergreen Park 29: Tiffany Fustar’s 16 points led R-B (4-11, 2-4) in the Suburban Prairie Blue.
St. Viator 53, Carmel 48: The Lions (7-13, 1-4) prevailed in the East Suburban Catholic behind Jennifer Ansani’s 22 points and 11 rebounds. Maura O’Brien scored 19 points for Carmel (7-12, 1-4).
Seton 40, Trinity 34: LaKisha Hoffman scored 12 points and Rochelle Davis added 10 to lead Seton (12-5, 7-0) in the GCAC White. Meredith Mathews had 13 for Trinity.
Walther Lutheran 58, Wheaton Academy 46: Tiffany Green’s 23 points paced the Broncos (6-10, 3-6) in the Private School League. Sarah Harris scored 17 points for Wheaton (9-7, 5-4).
West Chicago 31, Glenbard North 29: West Chicago (9-9, 4-3), which was led by Leslie Harlson’s 11 points, outscored Glenbard North 25-13 in the second half for the DuPage Valley victory.
Willowbrook 70, Addison Trail 35: Alissa Garneau had 10 points for Willowbrook, while Maribeth Hulina paced Addison Trail with 12 in the West Suburban Gold.
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More preps on the Internet
For more coverage on your local high schools, check out the Chicago Tribune Digital City Internet sites for the following communities: Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Crystal Lake, Des Plaines, Elk Grove, Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Libertyville, Mt. Prospect, Naperville, Orland Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Wheeling. Here’s how to get to St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, for example: Type in chicago.tribune.com/go/st.viatorhs. For Naperville Central, it’s chicago.tribune.com/go/ napervillecentralhs. For Prairie Ridge, it’s chicago. tribune.com/go/prairieridgehs.
