KIRKLAND – With a rare height advantage, Indian Creek girls basketball coach wanted his team driving to the hoop Thursday against Hiawatha.
Brooke Heiman and the Timberwolves obliged, beating the Hawks consistently off the dribble in a 52-25 win in a Little 10 Conference clash.
Heiman scored 25 points while playing just three quarters, shooting 10 of 17 and attempting just one 3-point shot.
"She did a nice job taking it to the basket," Muchmore said. "It's kind of nice to play against a team that's not taller than us finally and bigger than us. We were the quicker team tonight and I thought we took advantage of that too."
Heiman needed just 18 seconds to slash to the lane for the first time, drawing a foul but missing both free throws. The Hawks (3-9 overall, 0-4 Little 10 Conference) got on the bird first after Daisy Montiel picked up a steal and a layup, but by halftime, the Timberwolves (7-11, 2-2) led 29-9.
"I was trying to stop (Heiman)," Hiawatha coach Fred Linker said. "We were trying to double her and stuff like that. We didn't close out on their other shooters very well. And we didn't get down the court very well on defense. They beat us down the court, and that is inexcusable on our part."
Linker said it was a poor performance for the team, adding that the Hawks have struggled since the break. He said before the layoff – the team did not participate in a holiday tournament – the team was much more aggressive, and the way they double-teamed Heiman on Thursday was an example of that.
"We didn't double as hard as I thought we would," Linker said. "When we played Hinckley, we played Earlville, we doubled hard. And that was before Christmas. I hope we get that mentality back. The mentality hasn't been there since Christmas so hopefully we get it back."
By the numbers: Hiawatha finished with a 34-27 edge on the boards, led by Quarey Weikal and Gianna Bottom with seven each. Bottom scored nine and Montiel eight for the Hawks. Brooke Probst had six points and six rebounds for Indian Creek, while Audrey Witte had nine points, five rebounds and three steals for IC. Heiman had six steals and four rebounds in addition to a block. Hiawatha committed 26 turnovers.
Beyond the stats: Montiel picked up four first-half fouls but didn't leave the game until 5:25 was left in the fourth as Linker started playing his backups more.
They said it: "When we ran the halfcourt offense I thought we could get to the basket," Muchmore said. "I thought we were quicker in most every position so I didn't want to settle for stuff. And I thought the girls did a nice job executing that."
Up next: Hiawatha is at Somonauk on Monday while the Timberwolves are at Woodstock on Saturday.