ROCHELLE — Kendyl Darby looked like a freshman during the first half of the Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball team’s home matchup against Morris on Friday. The second half was another story, however, as Darby showed confidence down the stretch and led the Lady Hubs to a 43-37 victory over the Redskins.

With multiple players out of the lineup due to injuries, Rochelle needed someone to step up in the fourth quarter after struggling to hold off the Redskins throughout the game. That someone was Darby, who scored eight of her team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter to help Rochelle close out the Interstate 8 win.

“It felt really good to win that game,” Darby said. “We came out really flat at the start of the game but I thought we came out after halftime with a much different mindset. My teammates were feeding me the ball and it felt amazing because I know I’m a freshman and even my coach said I played like a freshman in the first half. But I was ready to take over at the end and it’s a really big confidence booster for me. We haven’t had a double-digit winning season in a while so it was great that we earned our 10th win tonight.”

Rochelle (10-13, 3-5 Interstate 8) entered Friday’s matchup without two starters including senior forward Abby Luxton and sophomore guard Alivia Henkel. Moriah Mayberry and Maddy Shannon spearheaded the charge for the Redskins, who came into the matchup seeking their first conference win of the season. Mayberry and Shannon each scored 11 points for the Redskins, who held a 13-12 lead after one quarter.

Senior Adriannah Davis-Carter helped spark the Lady Hubs off the bench, knocking down a trio of mid-range jumpers to finish the first half with six points. Rochelle collectively struggled to convert key shots, however, allowing Morris to remain within two points of the Lady Hubs throughout the second and third quarters.

“We didn’t play our best tonight, but coming out with a victory when we were losing at halftime and finishing the way we did was a big confidence booster for us,” head coach Ryan McQuade said. “Adriannah has grown so much this season and it’s been huge for us because not only has she been locking down on defense, but she’s been producing on offense. Getting that level of production from her is huge for us.”

Darby began asserting herself in the fourth quarter, attacking Morris defenders off the dribble and finding space inside to post up for shots around the basket. After scoring all six of her points on free throws in the first half, Darby converted layups on three consecutive possessions midway through the fourth quarter, giving the Lady Hubs a nine-point advantage and their largest lead of the evening on Friday. Senior Zoey Tabor scored eight points, while senior Josie Lundquist and junior Torrin Nantz combined for 10 points.

“I got on our girls at halftime and I didn’t speak directly to Kendyl, but I thought she played like a freshman in the first half,” McQuade said. “But the way she responded in the second half… She grew up tonight and she looked like a varsity basketball player. Having the ability to get into a freshman like that and then see her respond the way she did... I really like that as a coach and it’s a big moment for our team.”

Sycamore

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball team faced Sycamore on the road this past Tuesday, falling 50-31. Senior Abby Luxton led Rochelle with eight points, while seniors Zoey Tabor and Josie Lundquist each scored seven points in the Interstate 8 Conference matchup. Junior Torrin Nantz finished with six points.