Revenge is sweet - Angels pick up pay-back win over bitter-rival Providence Catholic

One week ago in New Lenox, the Providence Celtic girls varsity basketball team defeated the Joliet Catholic Academy Angels 61-58.

The two Roman Catholic schools went after each other for 32 minutes.

Revenge.

For someone to seek revenge against another fails to follow the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

After the heart-breaking defeat the Angels suffered to their bitter rivals, we believe the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet would absolve the Angels in their quest for revenge.

Behind a career-high 32-point performance from sophomore Jasmine "Jazz" Brown, the Angels avenged their defeat of last week and defeated Providence 59-49.

Being Senior Night at JCA made the victory all the more sweet.

"With no state tournament for our seniors, it was very important that I was able to help our seniors get this big win" Brown said. "It was a career high for me in points scored and it was great to beat Providence. We have not beat them in a long time."

Revenge is Sweet.

The four seniors, Jenna Hernandez, Charlie Kinsella, Breanna Ciemny and Sara Neville, started the game along with Brown. The four seniors were honored in an emotional pregame ceremony.

Paced by 16 first-half points by Brown, the Angels were deadlocked with the Celtics 30-30 at the half.

Forcing nine Celtic turnovers in the third quarter, the Angels (2-4) opened up the 10-point lead they would win the game by. Holding Providence (6-2) to just five third-quarter points that led to a 45-35 Angels lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Brown and sister sophomore, Alina Schlageter ( seven points) took over in the third quarter.

"Alina is really playing well for us," Joliet Catholic coach Jim O'Brien said. "She had 15 points in our win over Minooka on Monday."

Schlageter buried a long-range three point bomb and Celtic freshman Gabi Bednar (11 points) answered with a three of her own to tie the game at 33. Brown scored inside and then nailed a long-range three for a 38-33 Angel lead.

Charlie Kinsella, who is listed at 5-foot-6, only scored two points but hauled down seven rebounds, handed out four assists and added three steals.

"It was great to beat Providence," Kinsella said. "I owe everything to my teammates for my success."

"Charlie believes she is 6-foot-7," Brown quipped.

A Kinsella steal and perfect assist to Schlageter for two gave the Angels a 40-33 lead. Hernandez picked a befuddled Celtic guard and scored and Brown hit from downtown Joliet for her second three of the game for the 45-35 Angel lead after three quarters.

Game over.

Providence got as close as 45-40 with six minutes remaining in the game.

Brown converted on six consecutive free-throws in the fourth quarter to hold off the Celtics.

Hernandez, who wanted to win so badly, played hard but was pressing until late in the game.

The senior leader of the Angels, Hernandez put the bitter rivals from Providence away with four consecutive

free throws in the last 30 seconds of the game.

"I really, really wanted to win this game," an emotional Hernandez said. "I was playing so hard."

A major contributor to the Angels win was Ciemny. The 5-foot-7 senior just missed a double double with eight points and 10 rebounds.

"This was a great win for us tonight," Ciemny said. "It's great to beat Providence."

Neville had one word in conclusion for the big senior night victory over Providence — "Awesome."

On Wednesday, after a 90-mile bus ride to Woodstock the Angels look to pick up their first East Suburban Catholic Conference victory at Marian Central Catholic. The win would be the third consecutive for the red-hot Angels.

"Unbelievable. Jazz is amazing" O'Brien added. "In the third quarter we came out and switched on their ball screens. They hurt us with those at Providence last week. We really played great defense tonight. To close out the game on the free-throw line. We did that tonight. We want to take the long, long bus ride to Woodstock and make in three in a row."

MINOOKA 48, Plainfield Central 38

In a Southwest Prairie Conference crossover game in Plainfield on Tuesday, the Plainfield Central Wildcats held the lead at the end of each of the first three quarters. The 'Cats led 11-9 after one quarter, 21-18 at the half and 31-29 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter, Minooka junior Kinzie Caves took over the game.

Scoring nine of her game-high 13 points, Caves led Minooka (3-4, 3-3 West) to the 48-38 victory. Indian freshman Makenzie Brass added an even dozen points for the Indians.

Plainfield Central (3-3, 3-3 East) was led by senior Melissa Schmidt who scored 10 points, while sophomore Aaliyah Frazier chipped in with seven points.

On Friday, the Indians host SPC East leader Joliet West (6-1, 6-0) at 7 p.m.