Steamers step up, win regional opener

By Jeff Bersch

Herald Assistant Sports Editor

ERIE, Ill. — Things this season didn’t exactly go the way Fulton High School’s girls basketball team had hoped. That was evident by their record and the sixth seed they carried into the postseason.

“Now’s when it counts,” forward Sabrina Rock said.

The Steamers put a complete game together Monday night and beat third-seeded Ashton-Franklin Center 48-36 in a first-round game at the Class 1A Erie Regional.

Fulton (9-18) will face No. 2 seed Erie at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the second round.

“This means everything to us,” said Rock, one of five seniors. “We’ve been playing together since fourth grade, and we didn’t want this to be our last game. We pulled together.”

Rock was a main reason for the win, scoring a game-high 18 points. She did most of her damage on the inside, also getting to the free-throw line 11 times.

The 5-foot-8 forward made eight of those attempts and had all five of her field goals come in the paint.

“Our main game plan was to get the ball inside and use our height to our advantage,” Fulton coach Amanda Abbott said. “Sabrina is an active athlete. She had surgery in the fall, so it’s taken her awhile to come back. Now’s as good a time as ever.”

Rock wasn’t the only senior to contribute. Lindsey Renkes and Kim Rogis each scored 10 points, while Allison DeWeerdt had five points and Kelsey Munck two.

Playing against a zone, the Steamers stayed patient on offense. They struggled some during the first quarter but found a rhythm midway through the second.

Fulton scored the first five points of the quarter to take a 16-10 lead and led 20-16 at halftime.

Rock and Rogis each scored six points in the third quarter to help the Steamers open a 10-point lead going into the fourth.

“Sometimes our third quarters, we just kind of die,” Rock said. “I was so happy with the team that we picked it up. We stepped up pretty well.”

Fulton also scored the first five points of the fourth quarter for a 40-25 lead and led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter.

Audra Lundquist led AFC with 15 points, while Grace Kennay added 12.

An upset by seeding, this showing was more what Abbott had hoped from her team this season. She’s now hoping it continues for a postseason run.

“As of late, we’ve been playing pretty well,” Abbott said. “They were relaxed and ready to do what we needed to do.

“I’m happy with this, but it doesn’t stop here. That’s what we’re going to preach now. It’s a great win, but Wednesday’s going to be here.”

FULTON 48, ASHTON-FRANKLIN CENTER 36

FULTON (9-18) — Kathryn Wayne 0 0-0 0, Katelyn Zajicek 0 0-0 0, Lindsey Renkes 5 0-0 10, Jacqueline Van Zuiden 0 0-0 0, Kim Rogis 4 2-4 10, Allison DeWeerdt 2 1-2 5, Kelsey Munck 1 0-0 2, Liz Sanquist 1 1-2 3, Sabrina Rock 5 8-11 18, Brittnie Brown 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 12-19 48.

ASHTON-FRANKLIN CENTER — Audra Lundquist 6 3-4 15, Grace Kennay 4 3-6 12, Lexie James 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Larson 0 0-0 0, Melody Kaecker 0 2-3 2, Kristen Dillon 0 2-4 2, Sarah Smith 1 1-2 5. Totals 12 11-19 36.

Fulton 11 9 15 13 — 48

AFC 10 6 9 11 — 36

3-point goals — Kennay. Team fouls — Fulton 16, AFC 13. Fouled out — None.

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