Free throws help Downers North past York

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:52PM

Don't expect to see Downers Grove North guard Katie Hunzinger doing much extra running in practice.

You see, the Trojans' players have to run after missed free throws during certain drills, but these days the senior guard just doesn't miss much. She was a perfect 11-for-11 earlier in the week and then went 9-for-9 as Downers Grove North (5-2, 2-0) won 51-46 at York Saturday in a key early season West Suburban Silver contest.

"We probably take about 50 free throws in practice," said Hunzinger, who was 6-for-6 in the fourth quarter alone as the Trojans protected a 35-34 lead after three quarters in large part due to solid defense and free-throw shooting. "If we miss then we have to run."

With Hunzinger tallying 12 points, the Trojans led 25-20 at the half but then struggled with York's press in the second half and also had to contend with Dukes forward Mary Colon, who led all scorers with 22 points including four 3-pointers.

York opened the second half with a 12-2 blitz spurred on by a full-court press. During the charge Colon scored 9 points in a variety fashions, beginning with an inside bucket off a feed from Meryl Cripe. The senior forward then added a put-back, a pair of free throws and a 3-pointer for a 32-27 lead midway through the third quarter.

"Overall I was pleased with our defense and the press in particular," said York coach Jason Reinecke. "I thought the way we came out after the half was great."

With the Dukes forcing 5 turnovers and blanking Hunzinger in the third quarter, the game appeared to shift in favor of the home team, yet Downers Grove North still managed to retake the lead at 35-34 with a help of two baskets from freshman Sarah Costello.

Hunzinger then had a pair of free throws and a driving layup early in the fourth quarter for a 39-35 lead and the Trojans stayed on top from there in large part to their free-throw shooting (22-for 27 on the day and 14-for-16 in the second half). She scored 8 of her team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter to help secure a second road win this week.

"The whole week our theme was Road Warriors," said Hunzinger. "We stayed strong with the ball and we were strong with the rebounds. We boxed out well today."

Alison Schuster made 9 of 12 foul shots to score 13 points for the Trojans, while Mary Echemann led the team with 6 rebounds.

For the Dukes, Cripe and Anna Bell Lansdowne each tallied 8 points with Lansdowne connecting on a pair of 3-pointers, while Nicole Brown had 4 points and a game-high 8 boards.

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