Girls win trio of games

If there was any doubt as to who reigned supreme in the North Central Illinois Conference before last week, all questions were silenced as Illinois Valley Central took down three teams.

The action started when the Ghosts headed to Kewanee Jan. 11 to take on the Kewanee Boilermakers.

“That was a very physical game and a very back and forth game,” coach Paul Mercer said.

The physical tone of the game was set early when both teams battled hard in the paint for rebounds and post points.

Senior Laci Peterson helped to establish the Ghosts’ low-post presence early and helped IVC to establish a 14-13 lead after the first quarter.

The Boilermakers came out in the second quarter fired up and used stellar defense to throw off the IVC offense’s rhythm.

Defensively, the Ghosts were overpowered by Kewanee’s red-hot offense and fell behind at half, 29-24.

Throughout the year, when the team needed a boost, the Lady Ghosts have been able to rely on the ability to go on a scoring binge while holding down the opposing offense.

Needing such a binge to reestablish themselves in the game, the Ghosts got just that when they went on an 18-5 run in the third quarter.

The outside and inside scoring ability of sophomore Emma Hoerr helped the Ghosts to dominate the Boilermakers in the third quarter.

Kewanee was able to outscore IVC, 13-11, in the final quarter but IVC still won, 53-47.

The next night, IVC hosted the rival Mendota Trojans.

“Mendota did some different things to us but we responded well,” Mercer said.

Mendota scored first less than five seconds in, but junior Ellen Pearson responded by tying the game on a layup.

Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, as turnovers became a problem for each side.

Pearson, who put up 12 points in the first quarter, rebounded a teammate’s missed free throw and was fouled when she tried to put it in.

Pearson knocked down her two free throws to help IVC establish a slim 15-14 lead after the first.

IVC’s defense threw the Trojans off to start the second quarter, but the Mendota defense returned the favor near the middle of the quarter.

The Ghosts held a slim 20-19 lead when Peterson charged through defenders to drop the ball in and create a little breathing room.

After many free throws near the end of the quarter, the Ghosts took a 30-26 lead into halftime.
Mendota clawed back at the start of the third to tie the game at 32.

Pearson, who led the team with 20 points, again took control and drove to the hoop, completing the three-point play at the free-throw line.

“Mendota tried to stop Laci, but in doing so, Emma and Ellen answered with great games,” Mercer said.

Pearson then followed up with a fast-break layup before Hoerr sent home a three pointer to push the lead to 42-32.

The Ghost defense forced turnovers to keep the Trojans from responding.

Senior Allison Schultz opened the final quarter with a long two-pointer, and IVC began to create separation.

The Ghosts went on to win, 59-44.

IVC finished the week Thursday by welcoming Spring Valley Hall to town.

“They are definitely not a bad team and are better than their record,” Mercer said. “They have some good size and some young players.”

The Red Devils entered the game fired up, and neither team was able to establish itself in the early goings.

The teams traded shots and continued to match each other’s points as both offenses were in the zone to start.

Senior Kelsey Brooke, who had 11 points for the game, helped the Ghost offense create separation in the second quarter by making smart passes and attacking the hoop.

IVC took a 29-21 lead into halftime.

Both offenses again played smart in the third quarter, taking good shots and limiting turnovers.
Hoerr, who led the team with 13 points, helped the Ghosts edge out Hall, 17-12, in the third quarter by taking smart outside shots as well as being a low-post presence.

Each team scored 15 points in the final quarter as IVC won, 61-48.

“They did some things late in the game that showed us what we need to work on, such as holding the ball and protecting the ball,” Mercer said.

The Ghosts (15-1, 5-0) next play at 6 p.m. Friday at home against Princeton on Pack the Place Night.

“Princeton pressures the ball and makes you work to beat them,” Mercer said. “We need to control turnovers and capitalize off their pressure.”