SHABBONA – Things were clicking for Indian Creek on both ends of the floor on Saturday night.
The Timberwolves limited visiting Genoa-Kingston to 20 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers, but the biggest key was holding the Cogs without a field goal for more than 14 minutes spanning the first three quarters.
The result was a solid 39-26 victory for the T-Wolves during the fourth annual Hoopapalooza at Indian Creek.
Senior Ariel Russell led the hosts with 13 points, including six in the third quarter, while Kate Thuestad and Samantha Mosley each added seven. Thuestad also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
“Our man defense was really good and I think we really only had one lapse that cost us some points, but overall I was happy of our defensive effort,” said veteran Indian Creek coach Paul Muchmore. “We were able to score a couple times after breaking their press which is one things we had problems with in the Amboy Christmas Tournament, so that was nice to see. We're just still trying to get better.”
The Cogs were paced by six points from junior Katie Thurlby, while classmate Andrea Strohmaier chipped in with five points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Indian Creek (8-10) led, 9-7, after the opening eight minutes and then held the visitors to just three free throws in the second stanza. A 6-0 Indian Creek run early in quarter was highlighted by Josie Diehl's terrific three-point play and the home team held a 20-10 halftime advantage.
Cogs senior Tori Hensley's rebound basket at the 5:33 mark of the third period was the first field goal for the Cogs (2-14) since midway through the first, but Russell followed by nailing a trey from the side and then converted an old fashion three-point play minutes later to extend the lead to 28-14.
“We have been two different teams the last two days and that is really disheartening,” said first-year G-K coach Kyle Henkel. “We were really focused, took care of the basketball and were disciplined on Friday night in probably our best game of the year. Today it was a totally different story. I don't know if we were intimidated by their size, but decision making and mental errors really hurt us.”
The Timberwolves led, 33-16, heading to the fourth frame and the clubs traded baskets and free throws the rest of the way.
