By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
Back on December 11, 2018, in La Grange, the Trojans of Downers Grove North (14-6, 5-1) were handed their lone West Suburban Silver defeat of the season, to the host Lions of Lyons Township, 38-34.
On Tuesday night, in The Purple Gym, revenge was on the minds of the host Trojans.
After the two WSC rivals battled to a 12-12 stalemate at halftime, DGN opened up an all-out, long range assault on LT in the third quarter.
Three-point bombs, from Trojan 5-foot-10 junior Alexis Parker, seniors Lauren Sebek and Julia Kramper ( six points), led to a 26-20 Trojan lead at the end of three quarters.
Sparked by Sebek and senior Quinn Stephens, who scored all five of her points in the fourth quarter, DGN, ran away with the 42-28 victory.
6-foot-3 inch Trojan senior Jaylin Harris (four points, 10 rebounds) hauled down four rebounds, handed out an assist and scored two points, to give the Trojans an 8-7 lead after one quarter.
The Trojans and Lions defense took over in the second quarter. The two teams combined for just nine second quarter points and went to their halftime locker rooms deadlocked at 12.
After the Trojans unleashed their artillery barrage on LT (7-12, 4-4) in the third quarter, Sebek and Stephens went on on a fourth quarter scoring spree. The duo opened up a 35-22 Trojan lead with 5:08 remaining.
With 20 seconds remaining in the game, Parker hit from downtown to wrap up the 42-28 Trojan victory. Parker scored 10 points, hauled down four rebounds and picked up four steals. Sebek finished with nine points, while junior Ellie Gross chipped in six points.
With Glenbard West’s (14-5, 6-1) 44-41 win over York (13-7, 4-3) at York, the Hilltoppers remain ½ game ahead of the Trojans in the WSC Silver.
Steelwomen Hold off Crete-Monee
Joliet Central (12-5) jumped out to 17-4 first quarter lead and 29-11 halftime lead, in their nonconference game at Crete-Monee. The host Warriors rallied, in the second half but the Steelwomen, held them off for the victory.
Mustangs pick up WSC Gold road win at A.T, 60-41
Downers Grove South (13-7, 6-2) picked up the much-needed road win at Addison Trail, on Tuesday.
Gross Trojans hold off Plainfield North
On Saturday night, Downers Grove North (13-6), junior Ellie Gross, put on a show in Plainfield. Gross dropped 26 points on the host Tigers. leading DGN to the 45-39 nonconference victory.
The Trojans took a 31-29 lead into the fourth quarter and behind Gross, got out of Plainfield, with the win.
“Thank goodness for Ellie! “ Downers Grove head coach Stephan Bolt said. “She was the only girl for us that could make a shot. Ellie was outstanding!”
Lions Big Third Quarter buries Coal City
Leading the host Coalers only 22-19 at halftime, in the Lions I-8 contest in Coal City Friday night, McKenzie Weaver (8 points) ignited a huge Lion third quarter run and Lisle (14-8, 5-3) rolled to a 50-33 I-8 victory.
Weaver, who had been shutout in the first half, exploded for six points at the beginning of the decisive third quarter. Lion senior Caitlyn Webber (six points), scored consecutive Lion buckets for a 34-23 Lion lead.
Abby Casmer, led the Lions with 10 points while Audrey Strunwitz, buried a pair of three-pointers for the Lions, in the first half. Emma Rossin chipped in with nine points.
Lions bury Streator in I-8
Leading only 9-8 after one quarter in the Lions I-8 battle with the Bulldogs, led by sophomore Cassidy Allem, the Lions outscored Streator 21-8 in the second quarter and went on to the 61-23 romp.
Lisle burried Streator with a 25-6 third quarter onslaught. The Lion reserves tossed a shutout, in the fourth quarter outscoring Streator 7-0.
Sophomore Emma Rossin, led the Lions with 14 points. Allen, scored six of her 10 points in the second-quarter Lion run.