Glenbard South Dominates West Chicago with 69-28 Victory

In a commanding performance, the Glenbard South Raiders triumphed over the West Chicago Wildcats with a decisive score of 69-28 on March 14, 2024. The victory marks the Raiders’ ninth consecutive win, solidifying their strong presence in the Upstate Eight Conference with an impressive overall record of 10-2 and a conference record of 5-0.

The Raiders stormed out of the gate with a remarkable 31 points in the first quarter, showcasing their offensive prowess. Senior guard Rheayanna Ferguson led the team with 13 points, while her classmate Jamie Mizwicki secured a game-high 14 points. This balanced scoring effort included contributions from sophomore Julia Alcala, who added 11 points, and Callie Hardtke, who chipped in with nine points.

Ferguson, who is in her fourth year on the varsity team, expressed the importance of teamwork in achieving success. “This win shows that we’re a team that works together,” she remarked. She emphasized her evolving leadership role, stating, “I’m trying to be more vocal this year, and that’s something I work on.”

Strong Bench Contributions Propel Raiders Forward

Freshman guard Jordan Bailey also made a significant impact off the bench, scoring seven points and helping the Raiders dominate the bench scoring 22-8 over West Chicago. Bailey, who was called up to varsity just before the season began, highlighted the team’s supportive environment: “We encourage each other, and we bring each other up no matter what happens.”

The Wildcats, despite the loss, hold a strong overall record of 9-4 and 4-2 in the league. Sophomore McKenzie Hanrahan led her team with 12 points, while senior captain Sneha George contributed six points and six rebounds. Hanrahan noted the importance of resilience, stating, “What we take out of this game tonight is that we’ll look to see how we can improve.”

Defensive Dominance Underpins Raiders’ Success

The Raiders demonstrated formidable defensive capabilities throughout the game, recording a total of 15 steals, with seven occurring in the first quarter alone. They also out-rebounded the Wildcats 31-15, showcasing their control on both ends of the court.

Head coach Eric Daca praised his players for their cohesive play, stating, “We’ve got a lot of girls who can play this year, and we have a lot of girls who are stepping up.” He noted the effectiveness of their offensive movement and defensive strategies, adding, “It’s definitely nice to have those options.”

As the Raiders continue their winning streak, the focus remains on teamwork and improvement as they aim to maintain their position at the top of the conference standings. The combination of strong individual performances and effective collaboration will be critical as they progress through the remainder of the season.