Sandburg’s strategy seemed pretty simple Thursday night at Lincoln-Way Central. Get Erin Cattell the ball, she’ll score, we’ll win.
The No. 10 Eagles worked that system efficiently enough to give the 6-foot-1-inch junior 24 points and the team a 53-33 victory to clinch the SICA West.
“They did an awesome job of getting me the ball,” said Cattell, who has led Sandburg (22-5, 10-0) in scoring the last six games. “When I would post up, I didn’t even have to call for the ball.”
Lincoln-Way Central (18-5, 7-3) wasn’t able to stop the taller Eagles from dominating around the basket–6-1 Jill Hushka added 12 points and 6-1 Melinda Queen seven with four rebounds and two blocked shots.
The teams played Jan. 12 and Sandburg escaped with a one-point victory. And they could meet again in the upcoming Class AA sectionals.
Cattell scored eight points in the first quarter as Sandburg took an 11-6 lead. She sat out the entire second quarter, but continued her pace in the second half with nine in the third quarter as the Eagles pulled away to a 36-22 lead.
