Rosary girls basketball defeats Aurora Central Catholic in rivalry match

The first-year coach discovered that age-old truth months ago.

“I had people talking to me about it before I even got the job,” Wilcox said. “So I knew it was very, very meaningful, not as far as the scheme of [the season], but just for these girls.”

Given that backdrop, Wilcox can be assured she’s making a strong first impression on her team.

Rosary used a stingy defensive effort Wednesday to fend off the host Chargers, 42-34, in a Suburban Christian Conference Blue matchup.

The Royals had a modest 35-31 at the end of the third quarter and, as it turned out, didn’t need another point. The fading Chargers managed only three points in the final quarter.

Wilcox was proud of how her team finished the game at the defensive end.

“They had a game last night, we had a game last night,” Wilcox said. “We knew it was going to come down to stamina and defense.”

ACC (8-9, 1-5) was playing without senior Lisa Rodriguez (concussion), the team’s leading scorer, rebounder, shot blocker and top defender. It’s safe to say the Chargers missed her dearly.

“I’m a man-to-man person, but losing Lisa and that quickness there, it really forced us to do more zone than I usually like to do,” ACC coach Mark Fitzgerald said. “We usually like to bump the cutters and be physical and box out, all that kind of stuff. They’re learning to do it, it’s just not there yet.”

Rosary showed an uncharacteristic penchant for hunting 3-point shots, hoisting 15 attempts in the first half. The Royals made five of those, three coming from guard Madison Richmond.

“The looks were definitely there,” said Richmond, a Batavia resident. “The way we moved the ball together as a team opened us up. We got the shots we needed to look for.”

Added Wilcox: “I was happy that the girls were shooting. Most of the time I have to pry them to take an outside shot.”