Analysis: Turnovers, Fouls Put End to Oak Forest's Season

Oak Forest’s Bengals closed their season on a disappointing note, letting slip away after controlling the tempo early.

The Bengals worked past Rich South’s tough backcourt pressure defense and shot 8-of-12 from the field to take a 19-11 first-quarter lead. The Stars’ defensive pressure, however, took its toll in the second quarter and for the rest of the game.

The Stars scooped up five steals and forced 10 Bengals turnovers overall in the second quarter in gaining a 27-25 lead at halftime. The Bengals had no answer on offense for the relentless defensive pressure in the backcourt and they had even less of an answer for Stars forward Jasmine Collins, who scored all 11 of her first-half points in the second quarter. 

Heading into halftime, the Bengals had another problem simmering beneath the surface: foul trouble. Guards Lynn Nagle and Katie Swanson had already picked up three fouls apiece and were largely a nonfactor for most of the game. 

The offensive woes and foul troubles continued in the second half. Forward Emily Naegele helped start a Bengals run late in the third and early in the fourth that gave Oak Forest a 40-39 lead. The fouls, however, crippled the Bengals’ defensive abilities and allowed Collins and Stars guard Daesia Garrett to run the offense as they pleased. Five players wound up fouling out for the Bengals in the fourth quarter as the Stars pulled away to a 55-46 win. 

The Stars, as a team, picked up 25 steals. 

“We count on turnovers,” Stars coach Brian Mays said. “We try to average 16 a game if we can.” 

Garrett led the way for Rich South on defense with eight steals.

“We want to play our game at our tempo,” Garrett said. “We want to play as fast as we can whenever we can.” 

Despite the loss, Bengals coach Steve Schanz had praise for his team.

“This is the hardest-working team I’ve ever had,” he said. “This is the kind of team that wants to come back and practice tomorrow.” 

He’ll have a solid core to work with next season, led by Naegele, Swanson and Nagle. The team will lose only four players, and with a solid sophomore team this season, the future looks bright for the Bengals. 

“Gonna be some tough decisions next season for the roster,” Schanz said. 

He has almost nine months to ponder that decision. 

Stats Pack: The Bengals didn’t do so well in the even-numbered quarters. They scored a total of 15 points in the second and fourth quarters, while the Stars scored 32 (16 for each). In the first and third quarters, however, the Bengals outscored the Stars 31-23. 

Play of the Night: Bengals guard Katie Swanson threw what was almost a no-look pass to forward Emily Naegele for a layup in the first quarter to give the Bengals a 13-9 lead.

Past History: The Bengals and Stars opened the season against one another on Nov. 15, and the Bengals won 51-38. They also played each other in the regional championship in 2007, a game the Bengals also won.