Boys Basketball: West Aurora falls to Glenbrook South in semis

Updated: December 29, 2011 6:55AM

Molly McDonagh has been one of Glenbrook South’s leading scorers during its holiday tournament, but the junior forward was exceptional Wednesday night at Wheaton North’s Neibch Holiday Classic.

McDonagh scored 11 consecutive points in the second quarter during a 13-point run that led to the No. 20 Titans’ 48-31 victory over West Aurora in the semifinals. McDonagh scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the first half.

“I don’t think about [scoring points],” McDonagh said . “I was getting open and my teammates were making great passes.”

GBS advanced to the tournament final for the first time since winning the 2003 title.

The second quarter was quite memorable for McDonagh, who starts with her senior sister Colleen in GBS’ (13-2) lineup. After Colleen opened the scoring in the second quarter on a driving layup, it was Molly’s turn. Molly turned a 13-10 lead into a 24-10 score capped by a pair of free throws.

The run didn’t end until Erin Jacobsen’s three-pointer with 2:14 to go before the half for unseeded West Aurora (6-7). It was the Blackhawks’ only basket in six shot attempts during the quarter.

The Titans will play Waubonsie Valley in the tournament final at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. West Aurora will play Lyons in the third-place game at 6 p.m.

“We did a good job of getting the ball inside,” GBS coach Steve Weissenstein said. “We also put pressure on them to make every basket.”

The Titans didn’t show any signs of letting up in the second half, scoring all eight of their third-quarter baskets on layups. Lindsey Oldshue, Colleen McDonagh and reserve Amelia Hummel finished with six points each.

Dazmine Chaney, Alexis Wiggins and Jacobsen led the Blackhawks with seven points each.

West Aurora shot 7 of 17 at the free-throw line while GBS went 4 of 5.

“We came out strong in the first half and destroyed their hopes of winning,” Molly McDonagh said. “I thought we did a good job executing.”

The Blackhawks took their only lead, 7-4, with 3:11 to go in the first quarter on a three-pointer by Abriya Zeitz. She opened West Aurora’s scoring to start the game with a rebound and layup, but did not score again.

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