The Minooka varsity girls basketball team snatched their third win in a row against Oswego East at home 53-42 on Dec. 2.

After coming in with a two-win streak against Joliet Central (57-38) and Oswego (63-44), the girls beat the Wolves 53-42. 

“We played tough. We played good defense. We played together. We played hard,” head coach Jeff Easton said, “Our girls stepped up and pulled 53. It’s a big number.” 

Easton mentioned that there are still some gaps that can be flexibly and can improve on. 

“We turn the ball over too much,” said Easton “I think we need to work on dealing with pressure a little more. I think that’ll come from working together. But also gaining experience.”

There were some players who had a great game starting off with sophomore Makenzie Brass who received the title Player Of The Game. She managed to pull 13 points (including 3 three-pointers), 1 assist, and 9 rebounds. 

“We had a slow start to that game but once we started to all contribute and get on a roll we started to get a huge lead,” said Makenzie Brass, “Our defense was also amazing and we had many scoring opportunities with the plays we were making.” 

Makenzie isn’t the only Brass who popped off in the Oswego East game.

“I love playing on the same team with my sister (Kennedi). We have always grown up playing on the same teams, even though last year we were split up, she stepped up and now we can play together,” said Makenzie Brass “Our chemistry is good and we can read each other very well on the court.”

Makenzie’s sister, Kennedi Brass, had 11 points (including 2 three pointers), 6 assists, and 2 rebounds. 

“I think we came out rough in the first half, but after half time, we amped up, and the energy rose,” sophomore Kennedi Brass said. “We played as a team and not as individuals and secured the win. It was different, in a good way, because the atmosphere was louder and more energetic.”

The Brass sisters had a combined score of 24 points. Almost half of the actual score (53). 

Senior Brianna Simmons was also a big game changer for the Oswego East game who was Player Of The Game on the Oswego game (the game was before Oswego East). She got 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal. 

“I feel like we had a really good game,” Simmons said, “What made the game so different was that there were so many fouls that the refs were calling so the game was always stopping.”

Simmons also had some opinions on how to make the team better. 

“I think it’s our mentality that we need to change. I’ve noticed that once we get in a funk it takes us a long time to get out of it,” Simmons said. “For example, in the Oswego East game it took a whole quarter to get our energy up and play to our potential.”

They are all confident this season and think they will make it far. 

“I am very confident in our season so far. We are 2/2 for conference games. Plus we have a lot of talent on the team,” said Simmons. 

“I have a ton of confidence in my team , we have a huge variety on our team with great defenders, great scores and great leaders. Everybody on the team plays a huge role. Our team has a ton of potential,” said Makenzie Brass. 

Their coach had similar views.

“I’m confident. This team had some ups and downs. First couple of games were rough for us. But then we pulled off a three-game winning streak. I think the girls are finally starting to learn how to start playing together and we’re  improving each game,” said Easton. 

The first half of the game was a struggling and defensive match for both teams. At the end of the first half the score was 19-13 with Minooka in the lead. The second half was more of an offensive battle. The score increased to 53-44 with Minooka winning the battle. 

“I think that if more people came to our games to cheer us on and support us we would do so much better,” Simmons said.