Lions Take Care of Business, Advance to Regional Title Game

When the Lions faced Mt. Assisi in a non-conference game back in December, they nearly blew a huge lead during the fourth quarter but salvaged a 37-34 victory.

However, Lisle’s second go-around against the Eagles at the Lisle Class 2A regional semifinal Tuesday night wasn’t even close. The Lions shut down a Mt. Assisi squad that shot just 6 of 45 for the game and won, 38-17, to advance to Thursday night’s regional title game versus their old nemesis, Westmont.

The Sentinels (26-3) moved on to the championship contest, but barely got past Aurora Christian, 30-29, in Tuesday’s first regional semifinal game.

Westmont, this season’s Interstate Eight champion (the Lions finished second), has already defeated Lisle twice during the regular season—its most recent win taking place last Thursday (32-21).

But head coach Dan Murray and his team is hoping to turn the tables on Westmont tomorrow.

"It’s our third game against them,” he said. “There’s not a whole lot of secrets between us. We know each other very well. It’s just a matter of which teams comes out, knocks down shots and controls the glass. I think whatever team controls the glass and knocks down the open jump shots will be the team that comes out on top. It’s just nice to be playing in this (championship) game.”

Sophomore guard Kristina Fernette scored four of Lisle’s first five points of the game as the Lions dominated from the get-go. The Lions took a 12-0 lead into the second quarter on Stephanie Petkovsek’s basket.

Lisle (18-10) led at intermission, 17-4, and 27-9 after three periods.

In their first meeting against Mt. Assisi (10-16), the Lions struggled when the Eagles put some full-court pressure on them late in the game. This time, the Lions were ready for whatever type of defensive pressure Mt. Assisi had in store.

“We knew we had to handle the pressure, so instead of being afraid of it we handled it and try to play well and protect the ball,” said junior center Darian Payne, who was the only player in double figures with 10 points. “To be able to keep it up the rest of the game and not let them come back was very good.”

Both Payne and Murray said Lisle’s effort on the defensive end was noteworthy.

“I thought we played one of our best defensive games of the season,” Murray said. “I thought we did a really nice job, and I thought we finished our defensive possessions by rebounding the basketball. We didn’t give a whole lot of second-chance opportunities. I thought we did a great job. Playoff time is crazy time, and so you’ve got to come out and take care of business.”

Senior Tara Sarb had a nice all-around game for the Lions, recording 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Payne led the team with 11 boards. Nicole Urban netted eight points.

Lisle 37, Mt. Assisi 17

Mt. Assisi—Lee 1 0-0 2, Michel 1 1-3 3, Keller 0 0-2 0, Gath 0 0-0 0, Qualter 0 1-4 1, Kelly 2 0-0 4, E. Wetzel 1 2-2 4, Wheeler 1 0-0 3, Kossifos 0 0-0 0, M. Wetzel 0 0-0 0, Dearth 0 0-3 0. Totals: 6 4-16 17.

Lisle—Payne 5 0-0 10, Sarb 2 1-3 5, Kretman 1 2-4 4, N. Urban 2 3-5 8, Petkovsek 2 0-1 4, Fernette 1 3-4 5, Brennan 0 0-0 0, Tomko 0 1-1 1, Buchholz 0 0-0 0, Breihan 0 0-0 0, Ortega 0 1-2 1, Abenante 0 0-0 0, Tarasewicz 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 11-21 37.

Score by quarters

Mt. Assisi       0    4     5      8—17

Lisle                12   5     10   11—38

Three point baskets: Mt. Assisi 1 (Wheeler), Lisle 1 (N. Urban). Total fouls: Mt. Assisi 18 (E. Wetzel fouled out), Lisle 12. Turnovers: Mt. Assisi 19, Lisle 18.