23rd Straight win special for Red Raiders
HUNTLEY— Certain uniform numbers just seem to be tied to certain cities.
In Chicago, that number is 23. Sports fans can easily recite the “A” list: Hall of Famers Bulls legend Michael Jordan; Cubs 1984 hero Ryne Sandberg and Bears kick returner Devin Hester. Add to that Robin Ventura and Jermaine Dye of the White Sox.
For Huntley girls basketball fans, the “23” means a winning streak of historic measure. It is the current run after a 49-34 win against its strongest Fox Valley Conference foe, Cary-Grove, Jan. 24. Huntley, 23-0, was 10-0 entering this week’s league games while C-G was 9-2.
Afterward, head coach Steve Raethz, who is in his 26th season leading HHS, confirmed this was the best start to a single season in his tenure.
“We as coaches never have to ask the team for more effort, in practice or games,” Raethz said. “We practice hard and play hard for 32 minutes. Our focus is always on the next game.”
Given that C-G lost to the Red Raiders by just 12 points the first round of FVC play the Red Raiders knew the home team and its six-game win streak would be a test.
“I thought it was a gritty win, considering the tough team we’re playing here,” Raethz said. “We’re pleased to get out with a win. I’m proud of all 13 of our players. We just settled in, with consecutive stops on defense.”
Huntley took the Trojans’ best shot at the beginning, which was a 16-10 deficit. Huntley adjusted, as Anna Campanelli found Ava McFadden open for a 3-pointer (one of McFadden’s three and 10 points) for a 17-16 lead. A steal and a subsequent lay-up by Campanelli and it was a 19-16 halftime lead.
Campanelli has gone over 1,000 career points this season and is a Kent State University recruit. This night, she ended with 12 points, eight in the second half. She converted a steal by Luca Garlin into a six-point lead, 24-18. She also had a steal that led to a trey by Aubrina Adamik and 33-26 margin after three quarters.
Paula Strzelecki led the offense with 13 points, including some in the struggling start. She has also had a 21-point contest against Lincoln Way East, 50-42 at DeKalb Jan. 18.
Garlin, who tallied five points, helps to lead on defense, which nightly holds foes to under 30 points per game. “We work a lot on ball pressure,” the junior said.
Garlin had hoped to contribute a full season last year, but was slowed by an ankle injury.
“I hurt it in the third game of the season,” Garlin said. “I practiced in the post-season, then played AAU ball. (The record) means a lot. We have players one through 13 who are aggressive at both ends and play hard.”
Huntley continues its road games at Jacobs Jan. 31.
