After Waubonsie Valley’s thrilling 60-59 victory over Galesburg in the Chicagoland Girls Prep Classic Monday, coach Julie Callan was worried about a letdown heading into Thursday’s night game with Larkin.
She needn’t have worried.
The Warriors demolished Larkin 83-16, as Ashley Luke tied her season-high with eight three-pointers on her way to 29 points.
“Ashley was on tonight,” said Callan. “She had a real nice night from three point range.” Luke hit 8-of-11 three-point attempts.
The No. 19 Warriors (17-4, 8-0) had a 21-0 run in the first to practically blow the host Royals (10-9, 4-5) off the court as they jumped out to a 33-4 lead.
The Warriors defense caused 39 turnovers, 23 in the first half, while holding Larkin to the lowest point total ever allowed by a Callan-coached team.
“We were concerned about a letdown,” Callan said. “The thing we were trying to focus upon tonight was our defense. We knew we could let our offense come. We got up and down the floor a lot and that added to the score.”
Guards Luke and Stacey Byrd led the defense with five steals apiece.
“We just wanted to come out and play good defense,” said Luke. “That was pretty much the focus. Just high intensity.
“We were saying that good teams come into every game with high intensity. I felt pretty good shooting today. Even before the game, I felt good energy-wise and I know if I’m feeling good energy-wise I’m going to shoot well.”
Leslie Davenport and Molly Young each had 11 points, as 12 players scored for the Warriors. Callan was happy about the opportunity to get her reserves some extended playing time.
Callan was especially impressed with the play of Young, a 6-foot 2-inch senior, off the bench.
“She hasn’t played a lot of time for us,” said Callan of Young. “But when she has played, she has done some nice things. Like tonight she had some good moves to the basket. She was in good positions and when she got the ball she did the right thing with it.
“I’m real pleased with the way Molly played tonight. That helps us make some decisions down the road.”
“This game was good because we got a lot of kids a lot of time,” Callan added. “They (the reserves) spend so much time being the other guys, being the scout team all the time. It’s nice when they get some limelight a little bit.”
