By Drake Skleba
For the Bugle
With six minutes remaining in the first half of Joliet Catholic Academy’s nonconference basketball game with St. Laurence (13-14), Viking freshman guard Riley Galvin (10 points) buried a long-range three-pointer to tie the game at 14.
With snow falling outside in downtown Burbank an Angel avalanche was about to occur.
Led by JCA leading scorer Mia Bertino and 5-foot-5 senior Molly Hibner, the Angels closed out the first half with a 9-0 run for a 23-14 halftime lead.
The Angel run would snowball to 15-0 before St. Laurence would score with 5:36 left in the third quarter to cut the Angel lead to 29-16.
Jenna Hernandez and JCA defeated St. Laurence 50-28. (Photo by Matt Evans)
JCA (8-16) opened up a 37-19, lead after three quarters and roll past the Vikings for to the 50-28 victory.
Bertino and Angel sophomore guard Jenna Hernandez shared game-scoring honors. with 11 points.
Bertino, added four rebounds and four steals.
Hernandez, who was in early foul trouble, added four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
“The 15-0 run in second and third quarter, we are really proud of and broke open the game, for us,” Bertino said. “Our goal was to get everyone a chance to play some quality minutes for us. It was great when Grace Christiansen finished the game for us with the big three-pointer. Our whole team was excited for Grace.”
“I tried to do everything I could to help us get this win,” Hernandez said. “I battled through some foul trouble but was able to score some points and get some assists, too. My teammates, all, helped us to succeed.”
Hibner, just missed a double-double, with eight points and eight rebounds. Hibner also picked up three steals as the Angels, turned the Vikings over 27 times in the game.
The Angels held the Vikings to just seven total points in the second and third quarters combined.
“We had been playing poorly and had a long losing-streak,” Hibner said. “It was great to play so well tonight and get the big win. I was able to play well but we all played so well tonight.”
The Angels, behind four points off the bench from Kara Wilhelm, grabbed a 12-11, lead after one quarter.
The avalanche that buried Burbank, followed and the seven-game JCA losing-streak, was put to rest.
“The 15-0 run that broke open the game for us was ignited by our defense,” JCA head coach Jim O’Brien said. “We played outstanding defense, we ran our sets well and this was a great win for us, tonight.
“Mia (Bertino), is our leader and when she plays well, we play well. Jenna (Hernandez), was outstanding against St. Laurence’s pressure. Molly battles for us every night. I love the effort she puts forth.”