An unsettling loss in the championship game of Hillcrest’s holiday tournament last week apparently has worked wonders for Sandburg’s girls basketball team.
The Eagles bounced back Tuesday to hand No. 1 Fenwick its first loss of the season. Erin Cattell’s team-high 15 points–11 in the third quarter–and nine rebounds boosted host Sandburg to a 55-40 win in a Sweet 16 tournament game.
“We came out from our Marian loss and we were devastated,” said the DePaul-bound senior, referring to Thursday’s 16-point loss to Marian Catholic. “Monday we had a hard practice, we went three hours. We had to prepare.”
The loss dropped Fenwick, recently installed as the No. 3 team in the nation by USA Today, to 17-1.
Sandburg (14-2) trailed 12-10 after the first quarter but took the lead for good early in the second at 13-12 on a basket by Melinda Queen and free throw from Christine Walczak.
The Eagles led 23-18 at the half and took firm control when Fenwick committed three turnovers in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Jill Hushka’s score was followed by Jacqie Storm’s three-pointer and two baskets by Cattell. That gave Sandburg a 32-18 lead.
Hushka, Storm and Queen all scored 10 points for the Eagles. Brittanny Johnson’s 19 led Fenwick.
