BURLINGTON – Burlington Central’s Taylor Charles has the capability to dominate a game at both ends of the floor.
All the senior’s skills were on display Wednesday night.
Posting a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocked shots, Charles was a main cog in Burlington Central’s 48-28 win over Crystal Lake South in Fox Valley Conference action.
“Taylor had a great all around game,” Central coach Collin Kalamatas said. “She was very efficient on offense and played well on the defensive end. It was a good night for Taylor.”
Charles, who was 5 of 9 from the floor, grabbed six defensive rebounds and four off the offensive glass. She had two putback baskets.
“I really want to play well on defense and be a leader on this team,” Charles said. “I know I have to step up. We have some kinks to work out but we are headed in the right direction.”
The Rockets, who were 6 of 13 from 3-point range, were 19 of 35 from the field for 54%.
Both Samantha Origel and Rylie DuVal connected on a pair of 3-pointers for six points.
Off the bench, Lauren Knief connected on a shot from beyond the arc in scoring seven points.
“Being a senior it is tough for Lauren to come off the bench,” Kalamatas said. “She gives us aggressiveness and energy off the bench. She has accepted her role and done a great job.”
Emma Payton made a 3-pointer for three points for the winners.
In a losing cause, Kree Nunnally put on an incredible performance for the Gators. In scoring 23 of South’s 28 points, Nunnally was 9 of 15 from the field and 1 of 2 from 3-point range. She grabbed 11 rebounds with three blocked shots.
“(Nunnally) played a great game,” Kalamatas said. “It was certainly her night.”
Connecting on 6 of 12 from the field and 3 of 6 from point range, the Rockets propelled to a 15-4 lead after eight minutes.
Missing six layups, the Gators made only 2 of 12 from the field in the initial quarter.
With Central leading 22-10 at halftime, the Gators, with Nunnally scoring all seven points, started the second half on a 7-0 run. South sliced the Rockets’ lead to 22-17 with 5:55 left in the third quarter. The Gators didn’t get any closer.
The Rockets put the game on ice with a 9-0 run. DuVal made a 3 and Charles connected on 3 of 3 from the field including two putbacks. Central extended a five-point lead to 31-19 with 1:46 left in the third.
The Rockets’ biggest lead was 48-26 with 1:44 remaining on a 3-pointer by Origel.
https://basketball.dailyherald.com/sports/20220119/charles-triple-double-propels-burlington-central-to-win