Girls Basketball: Morgan Park edges out Mother McAuley

Updated: November 18, 2011 10:06PM

Looking at times phenomenal and at times lost, Morgan Park’s girls basketball team turned in a streaky performance in its season opener Friday night.

In the end, there was plenty more good than bad for the Mustangs in a 60-49 win over Mother McAuley in Mount Greenwood.

“It was our first game and thank God we got that out of the way,” Morgan Park coach Thomas Johnson said. “We had a freshman (Marsha Howard) and sophomore (Shami Goodman) starting their first varsity game and there was a lot of nervousness. We expect big things this year.”

The Mustangs looked anything but nervous as they hit on all cylinders early, taking a 13-2 lead behind seven points from Goodman (15 points) and six from Gabrielle Richmond (11 points, eight rebounds).

“I just went out and tried to keep everybody together,” Goodman said. “I wasn’t really nervous.”

The Mighty Macs (1-1) never fully recovered from that start and never led. They did, however, keep things interesting by forcing 20 turnovers and making 23 of 37 free throws.

Leading 27-15 at halftime, the Mustangs scored the first seven points after the break.

Still, McAuley didn’t go away. The Mighty Macs hit 11 third-quarter free throws and closed within eight a couple times, including 38-30 in the final minute of the period.

Morgan Park reserves Kiara Carter and Tristan Anderson combined for the next five points to steady the Mustangs for good.

Debra Jenkins (12 points, six rebounds) and Kendyl Nunn (seven points, seven rebounds) pitched in for Morgan Park.

Alyssa Siwek (16 points, seven rebounds), Brenna Nolan (eight points, eight rebounds) and Elizabeth Nye (six points) led the Mighty Macs.

“We knew they’d come out and be aggressive and we got down early,” McAuley coach Karen Ade said. “I’m proud of the way our kids fought back. We have a great group and we’re just trying to make them believe they can play with anybody.”

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