Nineteen straight points from the Golden Warriors quickly to open the first quarter quickly dashed Rochelle’s chances at victory when the varsity girls basketball team faced Sterling on the road Tuesday evening.
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STERLING — Nineteen straight points from the Golden Warriors quickly to open the first quarter quickly dashed Rochelle’s chances at victory when the varsity girls basketball team faced Sterling on the road Tuesday evening.
Forwards Josi Borum and Brooklyn Borum gave the Lady Hubs trouble under the basket, as the two Sterling players used their combined size and strength to outmuscle Rochelle on the glass. The girls teamed up for 31 points, as Sterling outscored the Lady Hubs 25-8 during the first quarter en route to winning 66-34 over Rochelle.
“When we’re facing teams that can overpower us on the rebounding side, they can leak out and score easily,” Rochelle head coach Tony Rowan said. “They only needed three girls to rebound the ball while the other girls leaked out and scored easy points. We tried getting girls back, but when they have 6-feet tall girls going against 5-foot-6 girls… The size difference alone can change the game.”
The Lady Hubs remained close with Sterling during their first encounter this season, as Rochelle senior Abby Lundquist helped bring Rochelle back with a late rally in the fourth quarter of an 11-point loss (51-40). Tuesday’s game was no repeat, however, as Sterling continued piling on with a 22-7 second quarter spurt to lead the Lady Hubs 47-15 at halftime.
“We had trouble getting the ball across half court at times because of their press,” Rowan said. “They’re a very well-balanced team as far as using their size and athleticism. They didn’t knock down too many shots, but we struggled on offense and they capitalized on every chance they had.”
Rochelle’s ball movement improved in the third quarter, as the Lady Hubs scored a game-high 15 points in the quarter. The first-half hole was far too deep to escape, though, as Sterling led 64-30 after three quarters. Lundquist led Rochelle with 14 points on Tuesday, with four Lady Hubs including senior Makenna Ferrari, sophomore Sofia Lenkaitis and freshmen Zoey Tabor and Sylvia Hasz recording four points.
“We moved the basketball around instead of dribbling into traps,” Rowan said. “We were forcing their defenders to commit… We were aggressive with the basketball at times, but we need to be more aggressive. When we’re being timid, the other team will capitalize and attack.”
Sophomore Afi Gati and freshman Lucy Bunger each totaled two points. Lenkaitis led Rochelle with three steals, while Lundquist recorded four rebounds.