BEECHER | Playing its next-to-last game of the season Monday night against visiting Illinois Lutheran, Times No. 3 Beecher kept its focus in an easy 46-17 River Valley Conference victory.
The Ladycats (19-6, 10-1) broke the game open with a 23-point second quarter against out-manned Lutheran and led 34-9 at halftime. Most of the starters were pulled midway through the third quarter.
Senior Paige Wehling, who finished with eight points, four rebounds and three steals, said one of the goals was to hold Lutheran to fewer than 20 points.
"That was one our goals today, and Coach (Mike Meyer) said to pretend like they're Peotone to keep our intensity up" she said.
First-year coach Meyer said his charges were coming off a great week, beating league foes Saint Anne and Tri-Point to tie for the RVC lead. The Ladycats already owned a lopsided win against the Chargers.
"My goal is to not to embarrass anybody and to get everybody time on the floor," he said. "(Lutheran) is getting better. They were better than the first time we saw them.
"I wanted execution, and I wanted defensive effort."
Lutheran (4-14, 2-9) scored three points in each of the second and third quarters. Every Ladycats player got into the game, and seven players scored.
"It sometimes hard to stay focused in a game like this," Meyer said. "I think we did a pretty good job."
Freshman Danielle Snuckel poured in a game-high 12 points, while senior Amari Griffin finished with another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
"We have a big week next week, so we just took this as a scrimmage to get us ready for next week," Griffin said. "It was still a game, and we needed to win for conference. We took it seriously, but it just helps us get ready for next week."
Lutheran has four freshman, four sophomores and just two juniors on the roster.
"It's tough for the girls to go against tough teams and keep themselves in the game," coach John Dorn said. "We're getting better."
Sophomore Cynthia Frazier and freshman Amanda Buzan each scored seven points.
"In a couple of years we're going to be a force if keep these girls in the program."
Beecher closes out the regular season Thursday against Donovan on senior night and could finish as RVC co-champs with a win.
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