The Illineks ran into a powerful Oakwood team Tuesday night. Now 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Thanksgiving Classic, Uni will play for fifth place in the tourney noon Friday at Oakwood High School.

By Gargoyle sports staff
Posted Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, The OG, sports

OAKWOOD — The Oakwood Comets entered Tuesday night's Thanksgiving Classic tournament game against Uni sporting a 4-0 record and showing all the signs of a team ready to do big things this season.

By the end of their 72-39 victory over the Illineks, the Oakwood girls had surprised even their own coach.

“I don't know where that first half came from,” Rick Bough said to Illinek head coach Rebecca Murphy after the game. “That was the best we played all year.”

Featuring four seniors, including two 6-footers, Oakwood took control of the game early and never let up. The Comets built a 20-8 lead by the end of the first quarter, then pulled away 44-12 by halftime.

In the third quarter, Oakwood led by as many as 44 points (62-18) before turning the game over to reserves.

“I had seen them play early in the week,” Murphy said. “We knew they would full-court press. They're an exceptional team. They're very athletic and bigger than we are. We would play zone, then they would pop it in from the perimeter.”

Uni's record drops to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Oakwood/Westville Lady Comet/Lady Tiger Thanksgiving Classic. The girls will play for fifth place in the 10-team tournament noon Friday at Oakwood. (The game was originally scheduled for Westville High School but has been moved because Westville's football team will be playing Friday for the Class 2A state title.) The Illineks have already doubled their win total from last year's tourney, when they went 1-3. As of Tuesday night, Murphy was awaiting word on Friday's opponent.

The Illineks entered the game missing two starters. Junior Ruthie Welch was sick, and junior Samantha Nguyen has been out of action since injuring her left knee in Uni's season opener Thursday against Atwood-Hammond. Nguyen underwent an MRI Tuesday and expects to get the results today.

“Sam was our starting point guard,” Murphy said, noting the important role Nguyen was going to play this season. “We haven't been full strength all year.”

For the night, sophomore Rachel Skoza led Uni with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Sophomore Jessi Sullivan contributed 6 points. Senior Mandy Grill added 4 points and 5 rebounds. Sophomore Kaylie Dastrup came off the bench to score 5 points and grab 5 rebounds.

“Kaylie really stepped up,” Murphy said. “She got fired up.”

Junior Aran Yoo led the team with 4 steals.

For directions to Friday's game at Oakwod High School, click here.

VARSITY RECORD: 3-2
(Home games in bold)

Season Preview: Illineks ready for season opener tonight

Nov. 16: Atwood-Hammond, W 37-35
— leading scorer: Rachel Skoza, 14 pts
— story: Illineks triumph in season opener

Nov. 18: Hoopeston (at Oakwood/Westville Thanksgiving Classic), W 45-23
— leading scorer: Ruthie Welch, 13 pts
— story: Illineks win one, lose one in Oakwood

Nov. 18: Chrisman (at Oakwood/Westville Thanksgiving Classic), L 50-48

— leading scorers: Rachel Skoza & Jessi Sullivan, 15 pts each
— story: Illineks win one, lose one in Oakwood

Nov. 20: Blue Ridge (at Oakwood/Westville Thanksgiving Classic), W 52-47

— leading scorer: Sarah Pfander, 13 pts
— story: Illineks down Blue Ridge in tournament action

Nov. 21: Oakwood (at Oakwood/Westville Thanksgiving Classic), L 72-39

— leading scorer: Rachel Skoza, 16 pts

— story: see above