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In Tuesday's,girls' Southwest Prairie Conference crossover game at Plainfield North, between the host Tigers guests from Plainfield Cental, the two rivals were involved in a tight battle in the third quarter.
Leading 31-22 with 4:37 left in the quarter, Tiger senior Natalie Bearbower (16 points, six rebounds) drove to the basket and scored. On the basket, Bearbower was fouled and completed the old-fashioned three-point play for a 34-22 Tiger lead.
Bearbower's heroics ignited a third-quarter-closing 17-2 Plainfield North run, leading to North's (12-8, 5-4 West) impressive 57-41 victory.
With 3:07 in the third quarter, sophomore Jayln Patterson's (six points) power-move for two put the Tigers up 40-24.
Hernandez (11 points, two 3's) buried her second long-range three-pointer of the game for a 45-24 Tiger lead. Bearbower closed out the quarter hitting from downtown for three and a 48-24 Tiger lead after three quarters.
"The 17-2 run in the third quarter really led us to this big win," Bearbower said. "Prior to that run, the game was a nip-and tuck affair. We have really come a long way this season. Last season we lost so many close games. It sure it is a lot more fun winning."
"We were able to get everyone open and it was just a good game for us," Hernandez said. "I owe my teammates for the assists on my threes."
In a very entertaining first quarter, Bearbower scored eight points to give the Tigers an 18-14 lead after one quarter. For Plainfield Central (10-11, 5-3 East), freshman Aaliyah Frazier was just warming up with six points.
Patterson came off the bench in the second quarter to get a pair of buckets, leading the Tigers to a 29-22 lead at the break. Plainfield Central's leading scorer (20 points per game) Kachae Donald scored all nine of her points in the first half to keep the Wildcats close.
Frazier, who scored a game-high 21 points, would score four points in the third quarter before having a huge fourth quarter scoring 11 points for the Wildcats. Aaliyah is the daughter of Plainfield Central's girls varsity head coach Armond Frazier.
"We played well in the first half but we turned the ball over too much in the third quarter," Aaliyah Frazier said. "I was surprised that I had such a great scoring night. It felt great when I made the free-throw for my 20th point.
Sophomore Tykara Harrison had a strong game off the bench for Painfield Central with a dozen points.
Katelyn Sparlin and Kathryn Jasko each chipped in with six points for the victorious Tigers.
The loudest cheers from the Tiger faithful, were for 5-foot-3 senior Kayleann Scholz. In the last minute of the game, Scholz buried a long-range three pointer and was fouled after attempting another three-pointer. The senior made two of her three free-throws for five points.
"We have been working toward this big win all season," Plainfield North coach Michaela Reedy said. "We have been in a slump shooting the ball as of late. We put in some new offensive sets and really shot the ball well tonight. Natalie is our captain and has played outstanding for us. 'Work and Win' is our motto and Natalie has shown that all season.
"Lexi Hernandez has the type of shooting range, where she can shoot anywhere on the court."
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