Lady Raider trio's big fourth quarter slams Marshall

On Tuesday night at Bolingbrook High School those who attended the Chicago Marshall-Bolingbrook girls varsity basketball game witnessed the presence of USA Girls High School Basketball royalty.

On the Marshall sideline, in her 45th season of coaching, with her two-time defending IHSA Class 2A state champion Commandos stood the venerable, Dorothy L. Gaters.

Gaters, who has won more girls high school basketball games than any other girls high school coach (1,133), in the nation, led her Commandos out to face senior Jayden Marable and the Lady Raiders of Bolingbrook.

Gaters' Commandos have won 10 IHSA Girls State Championships, finished second on three occasions, finished third seven times and brought home two fourth-place trophies to Chicago's West Side. That's 22 IHSA State trophies in her 44 years of coaching.

The number one lesson learned when playing a Gaters-led team is they never quit.

In their 2019 IHSA Class 2A state semifinal and Class 2A state championship games in March at ISU, the Commandos erased double-digit second-half deficits to bring home their second consecutive title.

Trailing by as much as 19 points at the beginning of the fourth quarter against Bolingbrook, the Commandos had pulled within 51-43 with four minutes remaining.

The Lady Raider trio of Marable, junior Katelyn Hoekema and Hinsdale South transfer sophomore Kennedi Perkins proceeded to ignite a game-ending 15-1 Lady Raider explosion. The Lady Raiders improved to 2-0 on the season with the 66-44 victory.

Marable (13 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, five steals), steal and score, gave the Raiders a 53-43 lead.

"I love to get all of my teammates involved in our offense," Marable said. "I enjoy my assists, almost as much as when I score. We did not have a lot of energy tonight and we did not play our best game."

Hoekema (14 points, 10 rebounds, two steals, two blocks), drive to the basket, resulted in two free throws, for a 55-43 lead.

"I am very happy with my play tonight and last night, as well," Hoekema said. "I too, saw a number of area's where we must improve."

The former Hornet, Perkins (20 points, eight rebounds, three steals, three blocks), buried a three-point dagger that turned the lights out on the valiant Commandos.

"The transition from Hinsdale South to Bolingbrook has been great," Perkins said. "Everyone here has welcomed me and I am part of my new family here at Bolingbrook. I played well tonight but I have to improve each game."

Lady Raider senior Kyla Matthews chipped in with 11 points, three rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

All-stater Treasure Thompson scored three points in 23 minutes of work following an ACL injury in the final game last season and fellow all-stater Danyel Middleton was on the bench in street clothes.

"This was a big win for us over Coach Gater's girls," Bolingbrook coach Chris Smith said. "After winning last night 91-60 over Crete-Monee, I felt we came out with very little energy tonight due to playing on consecutive nights.

"Treasure was just cleared to play two weeks ago and we limited her time. As she did last night, Katelyn was outstanding for us again and Jayden, had an outstanding all-around game for us, as she always does.

"We just have to get healthy. We missed Danyel tonight. I'm really looking forward to getting everyone healthy and moving forward."

TUESDAY AREA GIRLS HOOPS RECAP

Benet Academy 52 St. Ignatius 41

The 22nd-ranked Redwings (1-0) in the nation by MaxPreps, prevailed in their opener

in Lisle

Maine South 58 Lincoln-Way East 46

The Hawks (1-0) rolled past the Griffins (0-1) in Frankfort

Lockport 57 Romeoville 37

The Porters (1-0) rolled past the Spartans (0-1) in Lockport

Plainfield North 49 Coal City 9

In a football-sounding score the Lady Tigers destroyed the Lady Coalers,

on Tuesday. After one quarter, the Lady Tigers led 21-0 and never looked

back

York 58 Downers Grove South 32 at York tourney

The Mustangs (1-1) were defeated by the unbeaten hosts from York (2-0)

Rich South 82 JCA 52

The Angels (0-1) fell in their season-opener, on Tuesday

Lincoln-Way Central 46, Joliet Central 39

The Steelwomen(0-1) fell in their opener in New Lenox.

Immaculate Conception 43 Lisle 40 at IC tourney

The Lady Lions (0-1) were nipped by the tourney hosts from IC (1-0)

North Chicago 38 Maine East 35 at Maine East Tourney

The Blue Demons (0-1) fell to the Warhawks (1-0) in Parkl Ridge

Conant 62 Niles West 52 at York Tourney

The Wolves (0-2) were defeated by 1-1 Conant at York

Sandburg 42 Plainfield South 32 at Hinsdale South tourney

The Cougars (0-1) fell to the Lady Eagles (1-0) in Darien