Chapman nearly perfect for T.F. North

Before T.F. North’s Class 3A Sectional semifinal game at Hillcrest Tuesday night against Oak Forest, Meteors coach Tim Zasada asked star forward Karisma Chapman for perfection.

Chapman, a dazzling 6-1 sophomore, did her best to come close, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and four blocks while guiding her team to a 57-37 victory over Oak Forest.

“[Coach Zasada] just told me if he can get a perfect game out of me and not an average one,” Chapman said. “So I was just trying to come out today and give him one.”

While Chapman got off to a fast start, scoring nine of T.F. North’s 11 first-quarter points, the rest of the Meteors struggled to hit their shots. The Bengals were able to slow the tempo and keep the game close with a 4-0 run sparked by Molly Singraber (10 points, six rebounds).

The second quarter, however, was a different story. A tenacious and methodical Meteor full-court press and 2-3 zone forced nine second-quarter turnovers as T.F. North opened up a 28-15 halftime lead.

The second half featured more of the game’s two common themes: a swarming T.F. North defense and Chapman’s silky smooth play. The Meteors ended the third quarter with a 45-21 lead and Coach Zasada pulled Chapman and the rest of his starters with 3:20 left in the game.

“[Chapman] just comes ready to play every night,” Zasada said. “She’s just very versatile and we’re lucky to have her.”

Bayeena Abdul added nine points and three steals for the Meteors (26-4), who meet Washington Thursday night at Hillcrest in the Class 3A Sectional final.

Oak Forest (19-10) was led by Krystine Smyth (12 points, four assists).