Analysis: More Mind-Boggling Numbers for Griffins

Lincoln-Way East’s girls basketball team might deal with its fair share of crooked numbers in calculus and algebra classes, but for the past two nights the Griffins have seen mind-boggling numbers on the basketball court.

In Wednesday's 62-51 win over Homewood-Flossmoor, Taylor Johnson used her speed to attack the basket all game, never leaving the court and spending much of her time at the free-throw line. Johnson made 23 of 32 free-throw attempts on Wednesday, but went just 1-for-2 .

"She didn't come out of the game (against Homewood-Flossmoor), so she was exhausted a little bit and it wears on you," Lincoln-Way East coach Jim Martin said. "Today she took two pull-up jumpers and I said, 'Taylor, how many free throws did you shoot last night?,' and so she started to attack the basket again. But she was tired and it was good for her to rest in the fourth quarter."

Caitlin McMahon certainly put herself in position to get fouled in the paint against Lockport, but she made only one of four free throw attempts. Of course, why go to the free-throw line if you have no trouble making field goals? McMahon made eight field goals against the Porters, scoring 19 points. But she was more excited—and surprised, for that matter—about her career-best 17 rebounds.

"Seventeen rebounds? Really?" she asked when learning of her rebounding stats. "My high before this was 15. We just have worked on boxing out a lot and I just made sure to box out. We all did."

McMahon's rebounding effort paid major dividends on both ends of the court. During the middle two quarters, in which the Griffins outscored the Porters 37-13, Lincoln-Way East was able to push the ball downcourt, often on rebounds from McMahon and outlet passes to Johnson.

"When Caitlin and Julia (Piech) rebound like they did, and we keep them to one-and-done and then go, it just builds the momentum," Martin said.

On the offensive end of the court, McMahon created several second-chance opportunities with offensive rebounds.

"She had that one where she got two offensive rebounds and then put it in," Piece said. "That was awesome."

The Best Play: She nearly ran out of time, but with 0.4 seconds left in the third quarter, Caitlin McMahon scored after shooting three times, missing twice and battling for two straight rebounds. Her effort boosted the Griffins' lead to 51-29. She also was fouled on the play but couldn't convert the potential three-point play.

Bit of History: The Griffins travel to Sandburg on Friday. When the two teams hooked up on Jan. 11, it was Lincoln-Way East's Tess Madden who made the Eagles pay dearly as she made five three-pointers in East’s 43-29 win.

A Look Ahead: The Griffins might be looking at Sandburg on Friday, but Nathalie Hill might not be after getting poked in the eye against the Porters. "The pupil moved a little bit," Lincoln-Way East coach Jim Martin said. "Taylor's (Johnson) dad is an optometrist and he looked at it and let it settle. She'll get it looked at in the morning."