Dukes lost to recent close games to Glenbard East and Downers North.
By Mike Miazga
Correspondent
The York girls basketball team’s 9-8 record through its first 17 games doesn’t tell the entire story.
Of the Dukes’ nine losses, eight have been by seven or fewer points and four have come by four or fewer points.
York dropped a pair of close contests recently to Downers Grove North and Glenbard East.
In a 41-38 West Suburban Conference Silver Division loss to Glenbard East, the game was tied 9-9 after the first quarter and 19-19 at halftime. York outscored Downers North 11-8 in the third quarter and got outscored 14-8 in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Caylin Rufus led the Dukes with 10 points, four assists and four steals. She also shot 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Sophomore Danielle Dennis added eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Ellen Foley and Kristen Viola each had six points. York shot 13-for-34 from the field (38 percent). Kaylin Kenny added four assists.
Earlier, the Dukes returned from the holiday break and dropped a 41-34 non-conference game to Glenbard East. York trailed 12-5 after the first quarter and 24-15 at halftime. York cut into the lead with an 11-7 run in the third quarter.
Freshman Kathleen Levins led the Dukes with 10 points. Foley had eight points (2 three-pointers) and two steals. Sophomore Hailey Walker had six points (2 three-pointers). Rufus had six rebounds, while Dennis added four rebounds. Jaclyn Saco had three assists and two steals.
The two losses left York at 9-8 overall and 2-4 in WSC Silver play.
“The Glenbard East game was a combination of things,” said York coach John Constable earlier last week. “We were really rusty. Our last game of the Christmas tournament was on Dec. 29 and we didn’t practice until the Monday before the Glenbard East game. The girls had a couple more days off than normal (due to an event being held in York’s gym). We were flat and rusty. We had played Glenbard East the week before and thought we had a good opportunity to get them again. We dug ourselves a hole early and then came back. Glenbard East made free throws down the stretch and extended the lead and won the game.”
Constable was pleased with how his squad fared in its first trip to the Riverside-Brookfield tournament over the holidays. York went 4-1 there.
“We found ourselves in a lot of tight games,” he said. “I was pleased to come out 4-1. When you are finding ways to win games, I don’t care who you are playing, it’s always a good sign of things to come. Our only loss there was to Morton by one point. We led the whole game. That was a tough one. But for the most part, we are finding ways to win and figuring out who we are as a team.”
Constable also likes the contributions the team is receiving up and down the roster.
“A lot of players are doing a lot of good things for us,” he said. “We are depending on different girls on different nights.”
Constable cited consistent play from the likes of Foley and Levins. “Ellen and Kathleen were our most consistent players throughout the tournament and they have been consistent throughout the season,” the coach said.
Sophomores Rufus and Dennis also have played key roles for the Dukes. “Caylin was all-tournament at R-B and had some very nice games for us. She’s doing some good things for us on the offensive end,” said Constable. “Danielle Dennis still leads the team in points and rebounds.”
Constable noted senior Kelly Polte recently rejoined the team after being injured. “Kelly Polte just joined us in practice. Getting her healthy and into the mix only will help us,” he said. “She’s the one senior starter back from last year. She’s a good communicator and gets everybody on the same page. Hopefully she’ll be back on the court soon.”
York played Oak Park-River Forest earlier in another WSC Silver game the week after winter break. The Dukes played Downers Grove South earlier this week and will host Hinsdale Central in a WSC Silver game tonight and St. Viator in a 1 p.m. matinee game on Saturday.
“We are headed in the right direction. I’m pleased with where we are going,” said Constable.
