Trees' trick shot highlights win

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:46PM

Stopping Savannah Trees is a difficult task under normal circumstances. When the Libertyville guard starts putting in trick shots, the opposition might as well pack it up.

Trees scored 16 points, dished out four assists and collected three steals in the No. 9 Wildcats' 52-15 victory Tuesday over host Mundelein.

She stunned the crowd in the first quarter by sinking a shot that she tossed high into the air after being fouled on a drive.

"I didn't even see it (go in)," Trees said. "I thought it was going over the basket, but I'll take it."

Wildcats coach Kathie Swanson has seen it all before.

"It didn't surprise me that she made that shot," said Swanson, whose club improved to 12-0, 4-0 in the North Suburban Lake. "It wasn't the highest percentage shot, but it went in. Even in strange angles, so finds a way to put the ball up."

The 5-foot-8 senior can score from all over the floor.

"I've been working on driving and finishing," Trees said. "Teams know I can shoot, so they're guarding me tight outside. I try to drive past them."

Trees uses her quickness to create havoc on the defensive end. She's also adept at firing passes with either hand.

"I can dribble the ball better with my left hand," Trees noted. "If it (the ball) is on the left side, I'm going to pass it with my left hand."

All of the Wildcats came out flying in the first half. Libertyville scored the first 15 points of the game and enjoyed a 26-5 lead at halftime. The Mustangs closed the half with no field goals (0-for-12) and 14 turnovers.

"One thing we focused on was coming out strong at the start with all-out intensity," Swanson said. "The last few games, we've been kind of flat (early in games)."

Mundelein (6-6, 2-3) scored its first basket with 5:32 left in the third quarter when Amanda Davis (six points) hit a 19-foot jumper from the key. The Mustangs finished the game with 25 turnovers, and made only 4-of-26 field-goal tries.

The Cats hit 22 of 30 shots from the field, but did commit 22 turnovers.

The other leaders for Libertyville included Nicole Kruckman (nine points), Valerie Van Roeyen (eight points) and Olivia Wilcox (six points).

Van Roeyen used her quickness to bag three layups and a 10-foot jumper.

"Valerie gave us a lot of good minutes," Swanson said. "She tends to get overlooked, but she's a real presence on both ends of the floor."

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