Thornton cruise past Joliet Central

Updated: March 23, 2011 2:00PM

Thornton put a game plan together that worked from the very start of its game against Joliet Central. The host Wildcats applied full-court pressure and raced by the Steelmen 49-31 in the opening round of the class 4A regionals in Harvey.

``Our scouting said that we could pressure them into mistakes and that was what we were hoping for,'' Thornton coach Samuel Kenan said. ``Our defense is our offense. Once we play defense well. We can score any way that we want to.''

Thornton (11-15) forced 10 turnovers in the first four minutes of the game and took a 12-2 lead because of it. Naomi Fuller and Ariel Sneed each scored four points during that run.

``We came out with a lot of life and a lot of intensity,'' Sneed said. ``Our offense is triggered by our defense. We played like a team and we put forth the effort.''

Joliet (3-24) coach Dan Drye called three timeouts during that time frame to try and calm his team down. The Steelmen did play better but still trailed 23-12 at halftime. Brianna Marble and LaSoji Ward helped contribute offensively.

``Tonight was not one of our best efforts,'' Drye said. ``We are not a high scoring team to begin with but we usually give a good defensive effort. I think we looked intimidated and I don't know why.''

Sneed stepped up her game to another level in the third quarter. The junior guard scored eight points and had two steals as Thornton removed any doubt about the outcome by taking a 40-17 lead. Sneed had game-highs in points and rebounds with 20 and 11. Fuller scored 11.

Marble led Joliet with nine.

Stagg 54, Thornridge 37:

In the other play-in game at Thornton, Tatiana Sawosko led the Chargers (10-18) out of the gate by scoring seven of her team's first nine points. The Chargers scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back.

Revi McMahon and Bridget Adams led Stagg with 12 each. Sawosko finished with nine.

Elaine Russell led Thornridge (0-23) with 11 points.

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