By the end of Bolingbrook’s season-opening 61-42 win over Marian Catholic on Friday night, Ariel Massengale’s hands were drawing more attention than Morgan Tuck’s knee.
Illinois’ Ms. Basketball last season as a freshman for the Class 4A champion Raiders, Tuck was playing her first game after surgery in June to repair a torn ACL in her left knee.
She had 12 points and five rebounds, but Massengale stole the show on the Raiders’ home court. The junior point guard had 10 steals to go with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Her four third-quarter steals helped the top-ranked Raiders (1-0) to a 20-point lead.
“I felt like I was getting my hands on a lot of balls,” Massengale said. “(Assistant coach Jenee) Graham told me I had to … play defense, and that would make the offense flow.”
Bolingbrook coach Anthony Smith wasn’t entirely pleased. He frowned at his team’s 24 turnovers and said the No. 8 Spartans had too many open looks.
Still, Bolingbrook forced 29 turnovers and held Marian (0-2) scoreless for 7 minutes, 11 seconds during a 13-0 second-quarter run.
Junior forward Simone Law drove for a layup to break the scoreless streak 49 seconds before halftime. The Raiders had three steals — two by Massengale — that led to five Bolingbrook points in the quarter.
Marian Catholic senior Emily Kobel hit a 3-pointer with two seconds left to cut Bolingbrook’s lead to 25-16 at halftime.
“(Massengale) runs the show with great floor composure and also plays defense as hard as she can,” Marian coach Annie Basic said. “If you have someone to do that, you can put a lot of different people on the floor and be successful.”
Player of the game: Ariel Massengale, Bolingbrook, 12 points, 10 steals, 5 rebounds, 5 assists.
Key performers: Bolingbrook — Morgan Tuck 12 points, 5 rebounds. Marian Catholic — Emily Kobel, 11 points, 8 rebounds; Simone Law, 13 points.
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ckane@tribune.com
