DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS: #2 seed Deerfield took advantage of it's home court and ambushed the defending class 3A state champ Carmel (Mundelein). Their guard play carried them along with rebounding from all positions on the court. I was told first ever Sectional title for Deerfield. Here we go.
#2 seed Deerfield 49 #1 seed Carmel Catholic (Mundelein) 39: Guard play and control of tempo won this game for Deerfield. Their three guard offense handled the ball, and limited their turnovers as well as hitting shots from all over the court. Deerfield led the entire game from the start. They went out to a 10-0 run to start the game and led 17-8 after first quarter, 26-16 at halftime. Deerfield shot a blazing 12 for 14 in the first half to get out to that lead. They cooled off a little bit in the third quarter as Carmel got back into the game and was down to 35-30 at end of the third quarter. They could have cut it to 1 in early to mid fourth quarter but missed 4 free throws in a row, though they did get an offensive rebound bucket from Michigan State commit Jordan Wood (6'4" senior wing) to cut it to 35-32. Then sophomore Aubrey Galvan (5'6" point guard) hit the biggest shot in the game, a three from the top of the key to make it 38-32. Deerfield cruised from there for their first ever sectional title.
KERSTEIN SISTERS WERE HUGE: Deerfield senior guard and co-captain Alexis (5'6" senior) had 17 points 4 rebounds and two assists. Sophomore guard Nikki (5'8" guard) had 18 points (3 for 8 from three) 7 rebounds as they did it different ways. Alexis scored in the midrange and at the rim, while Nikki was the outside bomber. Combined for 35 points in the game.
AUBREY GALVAN IS A THIEF: Deerfield fans this is in a good way. She had 7 steals in the game, in addition to the biggest shot of the game, she had a huge steal on the next defensive possession,. The 5'6" sophomore point guard is intelligent beyond her years as she diagnoses passing lanes very well, and catches opponents sleeping. Oh and she had 16 points 3 rebounds and 2 blocks.
JORDAN WOOD HAD HUGE NUMBERS: Carmel Catholic versatile wing and Michigan State commit did not have her greatest shooting game. But she had 19 points (5 for 15 from the floor) 19 rebounds (double/double) 3 assists in her final game, as she came very close to a 20/20 game. Look for her to be a big time contributor at the next level.
Junior guard Ashley Schlabowske was the only other Carmel Catholic player in double figures with 12 points for the Cosairs.
Deerfield advances to the Dundee Crown (Carpentersville) Supersectional against Montini (Lombard) with a 29-5 record, while Carmel Catholic (Mundelein) ends their season at 24-10.
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