Sports
Lions Struggle to Put Points on the Board
The Lisle girls couldn't make up second quarter deficit and fall to Chicago Christian in the first night of the Lisle Holiday Cage Classic.
The Lions and Chicago Christian Knights squared off on the opening day of the ’s Holiday Cage Classic. The Knights played an aggressive game on the boards while the Lions had problems getting the ball to drop, resulting in a Knight 43-30 victory.
When the Knights jumped out to an early first quarter lead, the Lions matched up well. The Knights moved out in front 2-0, but Syler Tomko struck back quickly with a three point field goal to put the Lions on top, 3-2.
The two teams traded baskets early. Kelly Urban was deadly with five first quarter points, dropping both a two and a three point field goal. Darian Payne added a two but the Lions trailed 13-10 as the quarter ended. Free throw percentage had a huge impact on the game, as the Lions finished the first quarter 0-4 while the Knights finished 6-6.
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Shooting woes struck the Lions as the second quarter began.
“We were getting good looks and taking good shots,” said Lisle senior forward Shelby Kretman. “We just weren’t hitting them today.”
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The Knights command of the boards wasn’t helping, either. Offensive rebounds for the Lions were few and far between, while the Knights controlled the boards on their offensive side.
“They just killed us on the boards,” said Lisle Coach Dan Murray. “We can’t continue to give them second, third and fourth chance opportunities.”
With the Lions scoring only three second quarter points, all by Shelby Kretman, the Lions were playing catch up as the quarter ended in Chicago Christian’s favor, 26-13.
The Lions came out with a renewed energy in the third. Baskets by Urban and Payne cut into the Knight lead. Kristina Fernette added two free throws and when Tomko hit another field goal, the Lions were back within eight points.
It was not to be, though, as the Knights finished the third with a 4-0 run, and the teams played even in the fourth quarter.
The leading scorers for the Lions were Kelly Urban and Syler Tomko, both with seven points. The Knight's Lauren Kuipers led all scorers with 11 points.
Next up for the Lions will be rival Immaculate Conception.
“The Consolation Championship is our goal now,” said Shelby Kretman. “We’ll be ready.”
