Oswego brought its 18-2 record and 17-game winning streak–the Panthers’ last loss was in November–into Waubonsie Valley’s gym Saturday.
“We knew it would be a big game,” Waubonsie Valley’s Caly Meyers said. “That we’d be the underdog.”
What Meyers may not have known is that teammate Blair Laurent brought something into the game too: pass after pass into the 5-foot-11-inch junior to help Meyers come up with 26 points in a 60-54 victory.
Laurent finished with eight assists and eight points. Her 4-for-4 performance at the line in the final minute helped preserve the non-conference win.
“My guards gave me all my baskets,” said Meyers, who added eight rebounds as the Warriors improved to 13-7. “I just think we came out strong.”
Maybe a little too strong, as Waubonsie Valley totaled 18 turnovers, many of them passes that were either too high or off the mark, in the first half. Still, the Warriors trailed only 26-25 at the break.
“We’re always concerned when we have that many turnovers out of the gate,” Waubonsie Valley coach Kris Kalivas said.
The Warriors did a better job of controlling the pace of the game in the second half, she said. And that’s when Meyers and 5-10 senior guard Carlie Janowiak did the bulk of their scoring. Meyers had 18 points and with 6:20 left in the game put Waubonsie Valley ahead for good at 41-39. Janowiak nailed three of her four three-pointers in the second half and finished with 15 points and three rebounds.
“Anytime you bring an 18-2 team into your gym and knock them off, it’s a good win,” Kalivas said.
Oswego sophomore Teah Gant, who had been averaging 19 points a game going into the matchup, finished with 15, as did teammate Emily Grant. They also combined for 10 steals.
Oswego’s last loss was to No. 18 Stagg in its third game of the season. The Panthers were not only trying to extend their winning streak, they also wanted to make amends for losing twice–once in the regional final–to Waubonsie Valley last season.
