Think of Kelsey James’ performance in Saturday’s 59-53 victory over Johnsburg this way:
The 5-foot-6-inch Marist senior knocked down six of her eight three-point attempts for 18 of her game-high 24 points in the Sweet 16 tournament matchup. That’s 75 percent from the field.
But in two-point language, her performance translates to better than 100 percent. Even if James had been perfect from the floor on those eight shots, only 16 points could have been scored.
“The shots were open and I was trying to knock them down,” James said. “We were moving the ball on offense, looking for the gaps.”
James found those gaps to deliver a victory for No. 6 Marist (11-0) when it appeared an upset by visiting Johnsburg was in the making.
The No. 20 Skyhawks (9-2), who had suffered a lopsided loss to another East Suburban Catholic opponent–No. 1 Fenwick–on Dec. 7, were a different team this time.
Sparked by Marquette signee Paige Fiedorowicz, Johnsburg ran to a 10-2 lead and had a 27-23 halftime advantage. The 6-1 Fiedorowicz collected 12 points, six rebounds and two steals in that first half.
And the newest member of the Fox Valley was even better in the third quarter as Fiedorowicz and Jenny Turpel combined for 18 of Johnsburg’s 20 points. Going into the fourth quarter, the Skyhawks led 47-38.
Then James, whose six three-pointers in a game tied her career high, took over.
“It was mostly defense,” she said. “We picked up our intensity and when we get steals, we all get fired up and it helps us on the offensive end.”
Well said. Well done. She scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter to give the RedHawks a 48-47 lead–the final basket a three-pointer that followed a steal by teammate Liz Wade.
Marist, which faces a major test at No. 2 Buffalo Grove on Saturday, never lost control.
Fiedorowicz finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds, but said there was no stopping James and Marist freshman Haley Stercic (her 16 points included three three-pointers).
“We knew we had to stop them, but we just didn’t do it,” Fiedorowicz said. “That’s pretty much what killed us. They just kept hitting them.”
Johnsburg’s Turpel added 17 points, five rebounds and three steals. Wade had seven points, six rebounds and three steals for Marist.
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asutton@tribune.com
