Geneva, Wicinsky muscle past Hillcrest
By Drake Skleba
In a very physical 20th Annual McDonald's Shootout contest, No. 8 Geneva outmuscled No. 4 Hillcrest 66-61 Saturday. Geneva was led by its 6-foot-1 senior F Lauren Wicinsky, who scored 11 points and hauled down a career-high 20 rebounds. The talented senior's previous career high was 18 rebounds.
"It was a very aggressive game and they came out and played as hard as we did," said Wicinsky. "I feel I have to get every rebound and had a great game on the boards tonight. I had to get up there and get position and work very hard to get each rebound."
Geneva (20-0) won its 47th consecutive regular-season victory dating back to last season. Geneva finished fourth in Class 4A, with a 32-2 record in 2008-2009.
The Vikings exploded to a quick 11-0 lead in the first four minutes and led 17-3 at the end of the quarter. Sophomore guard Ashley Santos (16 points) sparked the early run with three steals and six points.
Hillcrest (17-2) settled down in the second quarter behind De Paul-bound senior Uniquah Hampton, who scored 10 first-half points to lead the Lady Hawks. Geneva took a 31-19 lead into the halftime break.
Santos and Hampton put on a scoring show in the physical third quarter. Santos scored eight for the Vikings, and Hampton 10 for the Hawks in the period, while Geneva extended its lead to 50-33 entering the fourth quarter.
"We came out and played very hard tonight," said Santos. "I had to step up my game today to keep us in the game. Hillcrest inspired me to continue to play very hard."
In the fourth quarter with 6:40 left in the game, Hillcrest junior Yolanda De La Torre, scored six points that ignited a Lady Hawk run. Hampton, who scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, nailed two free throws to bring the Lady Hawks within 58-50 with 2:54 left in the game.
Geneva responded with buckets from 6 foot senior Kelly Augustine (six points, six rebounds) and junior point guard Kat Yelle (15 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals) to extend the lead to 62-50.
Hillcrest mounted a furious rally with 1:22 left. Senior Jacquenae Foster buried a three-point shot followed five seconds later by sophomore Ali Samirah's steal and score that brought the Lady Hawks within 63-59.
Geneva's super-soph transfer Santos struck with 58 seconds left on a driving layup for a six-point advantage that wrapped up the win for the Vikings.
Hampton led the Lady Hawks with 31 points and 10 rebounds. The loss ended a 17-game Hillcrest winning streak.
Geneva junior Sammy Scofield chipped in with 14 points and three assists.
"We really started the game well and I am very happy with the way we battled against their pressure," said Geneva head coach Gina Nolan. "We played Geneva Vikings basketball today. Lauren has been dominating on the boards since Thanksgiving. It's really great to see Ashley developing as she has been as the season has progressed. I am very happy to have Kat Yelle as my point guard."
