Each Chicago holds off West Side

Updated: January 5, 2012 10:29PM

EAST CHICAGO — Before the game against West Side on Thursday night, East Chicago Central recognized senior center Andriana Moore for her 1,000th career point. She smiled sweetly while receiving a commemorative plaque from her head coach. But once the action began, she showed competitiveness and toughness that she has learned through her successful career.

Moore, the 6-foot-1 center, used her size to make a late fourth-quarter defensive stand — when diminutive freshman West Side point guard Amari Ferguson tried to score over her, Moore grabbed the ball immediately after its release for the blocked shot — then drained a pair of free throws that gave EC Central a lasting cushion in its 57-51 win.

Moore had 22 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Cardinals (11-4) in both categories.

“She means a lot to the program and us getting back to our winning tradition,” EC coach Eric Kundich said. “I’m real proud of her.”

However, early in the game, Kundich felt different emotions.

Although West Side only led 14-12 after the first quarter, Kundich noticed a wider schism between the teams. Passionately, he addressed the difference during the timeout.

“How many times have I seen a West Side freshman on the floor?” Kundich screamed, challenging his girls then stating that he hadn’t seen an EC player do the same. “Dive for the ball!”

Kundich’s fiery speech did not spark a run. The second quarter nearly buried EC as the team froze up against West Side’s zone.

“We kept forcing, forcing, forcing,” Kundich said later. “We go into halftime with 15 turnovers and that’s why you’re down nine.”

The tight game continued through the fourth with West Side holding a one-point lead before Moore’s block and subsequent free throws that gave EC a 50-49 lead.

“They came out and put pressure on us,” said West Side coach Ron Fisher said, who started three freshmen. “We responded like a young team like we are.”

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