‘Sluggish’ Belleville West rallies to defeat Althoff

In sports terminology, it is simply called “winning ugly.”

But all first-year Belleville West girls basketball coach Seth Garrett cared about after the Maroons defeated Althoff 45-44 on Saturday was that it was a win.

Freshman Chamya Darough made two free throws with 14.5 seconds remaining, which proved to be the difference, as the Maroons completed their “rivalry” week with a city championship clinching victory over the Crusaders.

Following Darough’s two free throws, which gave West a 45-42 lead, Althoff junior Kyleigh Vaught scored on a layup with time running out, but Althoff (2-9) couldn’t stop the clock as time expired.

“I was a little surprised she (Vaught) didn’t pull up and try for the 3-point shot. But I see what she was doing. She took the ball to the basket hoping to get fouled,’’ a relieved Garrett said following the win. “There was a little contact there, but I thought the officials did the right thing with the no call.”

“This wasn’t what I would call an impressive win. But we gutted it out, hit some 3-point shots and were able to win the game.’’

Sophomore Sydney Thurwalker led West (7-3) with 12 points, while Darough, who along with sophomore Kaylee Hanger and senior Erika Harvey all hit 3-point shots in the late going, added 10 points.

Vaught, one of the top perimeter shooters in the metro-east, led Althoff and all scorers with 25 points. But it wasn’t enough as Althoff, under first-year coach Nick Knolhoff, absorbed another tough setback.

“I joked with somebody that we’re the best 2-9 team around,” Knolhoff said. “We’re close but we just can’t get over the hump. I was very pleased with our effort tonight. Kyleigh (Vaught) had a big night. Amanda (Kaltwasser), who I call little ‘Rudy’ has been back for only four games because of shin splints, hit a huge jumper from the baseline late and our two big kids — Ellie Martz and Emily Myatt — I thought did a great job.”

“The girls played hard again tonight. We just came up short.”

KEY SEQUENCE

Althoff got a basket from Myatt, a three-point basket from Vaught and a short jumper from junior Maggie Reimer as it broke a 12-all tie early in the second quarter to take its biggest lead of the game.

The Crusaders maintained that lead until Harvey’s jumper put West up 30-29 midway in the third quarter.

Thurwalker, gaining more confidence with each game, broke a 37-all tie with a short jumper and when Harvey added a 17-foot jumper, the Maroons had a 41-37 lead.

Vaught made the score 41-39 with just under three minutes left with a jumper, and when Kaltwasser scored from just inside the 3-point line inside the left baseline, the game was tied at 41.

Hanger then scored on a driving layup to put West ahead to stay at 43-41.

KEY PLAYERS

Thurwalker and Darough combined for 22 points to pace the Maroons’ attack, which was sluggish from the get-go on Saturday.

“I let the girls sleep in today and so I don’t know if we were sluggish or if we were fatigued,” Garrett said. “I’m not making excuses for my team but we’ve had a huge rivalry week with games against Belleville East, East St. Louis and now tonight with Althoff. It’s tough to get emotionally charged up for big games three times in one week. “

“I’m pleased. Now we’ll start to get ready for the Mascoutah Tournament.”

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 10:49 PM with the headline "‘Sluggish’ Belleville West rallies to defeat Althoff."