Girls basketball: Marian Central starts hot, cruises to win over Woodstock in season opener

JOHNSBURG – Starting three sophomores and two freshmen Monday, Marian Central didn’t have the look of a team lacking experience or confidence.

Far from it.

The Hurricanes scored more points than they have in any game over the previous two seasons, earning a 59-33 win over crosstown rival Woodstock in the opening game of the Johnsburg Girls Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament.

“The girls have been working hard the past two weeks, since Day 1 of practice,” Hurricanes first-year coach Ryan Sasis said. “They’ve been waiting for this moment. They came out on fire and took advantage of every possession they had.”

Three players – all underclassmen – scored in double figures for Marian (1-0).

Leading the way for the Hurricanes was sophomore guard Madison Kenyon, who had a double-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, six steals and two blocks. She had 10 points in the first quarter, knocking down all five of her shots, as Marian took a 20-4 lead into the second.

Woodstock cut the deficit to 26-15 at halftime, but Marian outscored the Blue Streaks, 22-7, in the third for a 48-22 lead.

“Everyone worked together. Everyone was ready,” said Kenyon, who got some varsity minutes as a freshman. “Everyone was helping each other out. If you made a mistake, we were all there to to pick you up. It’s a really good mix we have. I think everyone on the team is really good.”

Sasis called Kenyon the Hurricanes’ best all-around player.

Three times in the first half she created instant offense by stealing the ball near midcourt and scoring at the other end.

“She’s really good at reading defenses and going north and south,” Sasis said. “She’s a great two-way player. Last year she was on varsity, but she didn’t get much playing time. She was ready for it and she couldn’t wait for today.”

Also scoring in double figures for the Hurricanes were sophomore forward Michaela Johnson (13 points, 8 of 10 free throws) and freshman guard Abbey Miner (12 points, 8 rebounds). Johnson scored eight points in the third quarter, while Miner had all 12 of her points in the first three quarters.

Lucy Iden had four points for Marian, while Juliette Huff, Jordyn Kratochvil, Kerri Johnson and Ella Notaro all chipped in three points.

“We were pretty hyped up. We were ready to go,” Miner said after her first high school basketball game. “I think we were moving the ball well, communicating, and our defense was on point. It’s been pretty amazing to get the opportunity to play on [varsity] and have a role on the team.”

For the Streaks (0-1), sophomore guard Jania Lejman scored a team-high nine points with two 3s. Sophomore forward Anna Crenshaw had eight points and 10 rebounds, Shea Behrens and Val Sardelli each had five points and a 3, and Allison O’Brien added four points.

Marian Central plays Rockford Lutheran at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in its next tournament game. So far, so good for the young Hurricanes, whose roster includes 10 underclassmen.

“When you’re working with a young team, there’s going to be some growing pains,” Sasis said after getting his first career win as a varsity coach. “But our girls are really smart and are really quick to adjust. That’s what you saw tonight.”

Marian Central 59, Woodstock 33

Marian Central 20 6 22 11 – 59

Woodstock 4 11 7 11 – 33

MARIAN CENTRAL (59)

Kenyon 9 0-4 18, M. Johnson 2 8-10 13, Miner 4 3-4 12, Iden 2 0-0 4, Huff 1 1-2 3, Kratochvil 1 0-0 3, K. Johnson 1 0-0 3, Notaro 1 1-2 3. Totals: 21 13-22 59.

WOODSTOCK (33)

Lejman 2 3-4 9, Crenshaw 4 0-1 8, Behrens 2 0-0 5, O’Brien 2 0-1 4, Sardelli 2 0-0 5, Morrow 1 0-0 2. Totals: 13 3-6 33.

3-point goals: Marian Central 4 (M. Johnson, Miner, Kratochvil, K. Johnson), Woodstock 4 (Lejman 2, Behrens, Sardelli). Total fouls: Marian Central 10, Woodstock 17.