WW South defensive stifles Wheaton North 48-26
WHEATON – Wheaton Warrenville South didn’t forget.
The Tigers didn’t forget being ahead by double digits in their first meeting with Wheaton North, seeing overtime be forced and a win slip away.
While that loss was over a month ago, Friday’s rematch with the Falcons was more than the perfect chance at redemption. With a conference title on the line, Wheaton Warrenville South’s defense stifled Wheaton North from start to finish with a resounding 48-26 victory.
The Tigers, who have now won 11 total conference championships, became the inaugural DuKane Conference champions. The first 10 titles came as members of the DuPage Valley Conference.
“This program has won a bunch of conference championships, but I told the girls in (the locker room) that this was the most earned one,” said WW South coach Rob Kroehnke, who won his seventh conference championship with the program. “The defense they played tonight was absolutely unbelievable. I’m so proud of them. They deserve it.
“I’m happy that it came down to Wheaton North and us. The first (conference title) was staying in Wheaton. Anything can happen in these games and for us to come out and play the way we did was great.”
That Tigers' (19-8, 11-3 DuKane Conference) defensive effort forced 17 Wheaton North turnovers and allowed just five points in the first quarter.
While senior-laden Wheaton Warrenville South only scored nine points itself in the first eight minutes, it was a freshman off the bench that provided a spark on the other end of the floor that helped the Tigers take off in the second quarter.
In a two-possession stretch midway through the second quarter, Lily Hutzinger made her impact. The freshman forward knocked down a pair of 3-pointers en route to nine first-half points. The buckets were part of a 12-3 half-ending run that gave the Tigers a 23-13 lead at the break.
“I knew I had to come out and give everything I had for the seniors,” Hutzinger said. “I knew it was their last game on this court and last one against (Wheaton) North… That last loss just made us want it even more tonight. This was the best group of seniors I could ask for and I’m really happy I could help them win a conference championship.”
After the run to end the half, Wheaton North (18-6, 9-4) never got within single digits.
The Tigers seniors – all 11 of which got into the game – took over in their final half on the WW South court. Guards Kylie Ruggles and Mira Emma scored five and four points, respectively, in the third quarter, while limiting the Falcons to just two points.
Emma finished with all 11 of her points from the free-throw line (in 13 attempts), while Ruggles finished with six points and six rebounds. Nikki Baird led Wheaton North with 10 points.
“Tonight was awesome,” Emma said. “Tonight defined what our team is all about. We didn’t fall apart of put our heads down after (the last loss to Wheaton North). We kept fighting and grinding in practice every day for this moment. It’s surreal to have been playing basketball with these girls since fourth grade, and now to win a conference championship is amazing. It’s sad that it’s over, but conference is over… we’re not done.”
“We have been preparing for this night all season,” Ruggles added. “All season, we have been saying each game is the biggest game of the season and don’t look past anyone. Tonight was, no question, the biggest game of our season and we came out and performed like it.”
The Tigers’ second season starts Tuesday, hosting the winner of Glenbard North and Conant in the Class 4A York Regional semifinals. Wheaton North will take on Schaumburg on Wednesday night in the 4A Bartlett Regional semifinals.
Wheaton North's Julia Simon takes a shot during a game at Wheaton-Warrenville South on Friday, Feb. 8.
Wheaton North's Claire Hyde takes a shot during a game at Wheaton-Warrenville South on Friday, Feb. 8.