For the second time this season, the St Ben’s women hoops team has taken down a larger neighborhood rival, this time downsizing Lane Tech in a 61-46 game Monday.
St. Bens women, who had made it to the IHSA Class 2A first round sectionals in 2010, looked poised to repeat the performance in 2011. The team has lost senior Amanda Genge to an ACL injury for the season. However, it is getting behind her sophomore sister, Alexis “Lexi.”
Adding to the hopes is a move from Class 2A to 1A this season.
The defeat of larger Lane and neighborhood rival Gordon is giving the women more confidence.
In Monday’s game, the Bengals moved the ball around the court well. The larger Lane team attempted to compensate, moving from a zone 2-1-2 defense to a man-to-man defense, then back to a zone. “The turnovers killed us,” Lane coach Norman Milsap said.
“We couldn’t overcome the turnovers.” Milsap said the Lane team was a bit slower but credited his women with working hard. “We couldn’t react with the zone. It’s a speed thing for us right now,” he said.
Bens coach Chris Ford said the team adopted to an early lead by the Indians. “We became focussed. We came out ready to play.”
“We’re adopting to playing without Amanda. We’re relaxed. We’re playing our game.
“Lexi did a good job of running the game,” Ford said. “I was a little worried in the fourth quarter. But they steadied themselves and held on to win.”
