Astros soar past Chicago Christian

Shepard coach Pat O'Connor watches the Astros during their game against Chicago Christian.
(Tony Baranek/Southtown Star)

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Every team sets goals at the start of the season. At Shepard, they've set a few.

"I think our goal is to play as a team and work our hardest and build as a family and not as individuals," sophomore guard Kayla McKinney said after the Astros beat host Chicago Christian 52-37 in a nonconference season opener for both teams Tuesday.

Any others?

"To win all of our games," Astros senior Demetria Ward said. "We're going to be conference champs this year."

Now THAT would be one heck of a going-away present for coach Pat O'Connor.

"Oh, yeah?" O'Connor said, laughing. "How about let's be realistic about it and just win as many as we can."

O'Connor is starting his 25th and final season as head coach at Shepard. He'll be retiring as a teacher at the end of the school year.

"I hope he has a good last season," McKinney said. "We really do want to make it to state and everything."

Ward (12 points, 11 rebounds), McKinney (12 points), Rachael Pierce (12 points), Casey Smith (seven rebounds), Kelly Boyle (six points) and Erica Boyd (four points, five rebounds) all played pivotal roles as the Astros used a 17-4 third period to break open a close game.

The pace was typically sloppy for an opener, although Shepard was able to put together two offensive bursts, and used a man-to-man defense to force 19 Chicago Christian turnovers.

During one stretch of 18 possessions, the Astros held Chicago Christian to just three made free throws.

"We played man-to-man the whole time, we just sort of sagged," O'Connor said. "We've been working on backside sagging and helping, and stayed on the ball a little tight. They're starting to learn a little bit."

It was 21-19 Shepard at the start of the third period when the 5-foot-10 Ward ignited an 8-0 salvo. First, she went in for a layup. Then, after rebounding a Knights miss she made a court-length pass to Boyle, who converted an easy basket. Another rebound resulted in a jumper from the left side by Boyle. Finally, Ward made a steal at center court and went in alone for two points to make it 29-19.

"I still want her to be a little stronger in at the basket," O'Connor said of Ward. "She's a little more comfortable taking the little jump shot and staying away from the basket, but she's big enough that she needs to get in there. She did a nice job tonight. I thought Kayla did a nice job, too."

McKinney delivered the knockout punches with three buckets (one a 3-pointer) as the Astros opened up a 15-point lead late in the third period. Chicago Christian never got closer than 11 the rest of the way.

Taylor Kiers was the leading scorer for the Knights with 10 points. Jackie Vander Laan added six and Justine Van Dyk five. Molly Boonstra had seven rebounds.