Jenkins Leads L-Way North Past Stagg

It was a big night for Lincoln-Way North's Emily Jenkins.

Jenkins, a senior forward, scored 16 points as the Phoenix rolled to a 50-32 girls basketball victory over Stagg on Thursday night.

The Chargers held Lincoln-Way North (5-1) to  four points in the first quarter and jumped to an 8-4 lead.

Then, the North started to fight back. The Phoenix gained an 11-8 lead off a 3-pointer from junior forward Taylor Boardman. Later, LaDonna Gettis scored a basket that capped a spurt that put North on top 23-14 at the half.

In the third quarter, Jenkins started off the scoring for the Phoenix with a shot to give them a 25-14 lead. She struck again with back-to-back baskets to give North a 39-27 lead at the end of the third.

Stagg sophomore guard Alexa Janus made a shot that narrowed North's lead to 45-28. But a free throw from junior guard Stephanie Pearson sealed the deal for North.

"I liked the first quarter," Stagg coach Bill Turner said. "I don't know what happened. Obviously, they are a talented team. They've got some bigger girls. I think we got hurt on the rebounds. We need to start making some shots."

Janus lead the Chargers (0-7) with eight points. Senior guard Bridget Adams added six points.

"Alexa Janus played real well," Turner said. "She played good defense and put the ball in the basket. I think she played a lot older than she is."

Boardman scored 13 points for North. Gettis finished with 10.

"The other team was good," Jenkins said. "But we really played well as a team."

The Phoenix will look to improve to 6-1 when they face Bradley-Bourbonnais on Tuesday night. 

"We look to build on each game," North coach Jim Nair said. "We want to keep getting better. We've got a tough conference schedule, so we're just trying to get into this conference and keep improving."