Kahok girls take down East in SWC opener

By Mark Jurgena

They’d had enough.

East cut the Collinsville lead to 29-24 at the 6:14 mark of the 3rd quarter, then the Kahoks went off.

CHS went on a 14-0 run to increase their lead to 19 points early in the 4th quarter to eventually subdue Belleville East 45-32 to win their SWC opener in Collinsville on Dec. 2.

They also held the Lancers to four total points and forced them into nine turnovers in the 3rd quarter.

“In the third quarter we just focused on picking up 3/4 court,” said CHS coach Colin Moore. “We only had eight girls so we saved that for the second half.”

They may have saved that for the 2nd half, but their 1st half was pretty good as well.

The Kahoks bolted out to a 9-1 lead thanks to four points from post player Talesha Gilmore, a layup by Megan Janson, and a three from Emma Hrabusicky.

“We came out and attacked the basket,” said Moore. “We felt that if we could get out to a lead that could help us gain some confidence.” 

East tied it up with one minute to play in the quarter but a step-back jumper from 30 feet by Janson at the buzzer put Collinsville up 12-9.

That late three ignited a 17-3 Kahok run to put the Kahoks up 26-14 with 1:23 to play before the half.

Ella Guerrero had six points during the spree including a three while Gilmore had four. Bardwell had four points including a three and Janson’s three began the run.

CHS led 27-20 at the half.

During the big 2nd half run, Gilmore led the way with seven points while Janson and Danajah Willis had a bucket each. Carsyn Moad also buried a three in that span. 

For the night, Gilmore had a double-double with 17 points and ten rebounds. Guerrero and Janson both had three assists with Janson picking up four steals.

Kahok Correction

In the final game of pool play at the Nashville Tournament against Mt. Vernon, Megan Janson was incorrectly listed as having 27 points. She actually scored 30 points in that game.

Kahok Notes

The Kahoks have missed the services of three-year starter Senior Jenna Scheller for the last few games. The 6-2 senior was injured against Mt. Vernon on Nov. 26. She missed the next game against Trenton (Wesclin) and the SWC opener against Belleville East.

Upcoming Schedule

Collinsville played at Belleville West Tuesday evening however results were unavailable at press time. They play at East St. Louis tonight. That game will be played at Mason Clark Middle School. 

Saturday they play in the Lindenwood-Belleville Shootout against Springfield (Southeast) at 10:00 a.m. Monday they host Triad.

SWC Notes

Alton ended a 55-game losing streak to Edwardsville on Dec. 1 when they beat the Tigers in Edwardsville no less by a score of 55-42. The last time they beat EHS before then was 1998. 

The Redbirds followed that with a 69-56 win at Mt. Vernon Saturday morning to leave their record at 5-0 heading into this week.