Sports
Girls Basketball: H-F's Norris Erupts for 27 in Win Over L-Way Central
Memphis-bound Jailyn Norris leads the Vikings to an 87-39 victory over Lincoln-Way Central in Southwest Suburban Blue action.
If Homewood-Flossmoor senior guard Jailyn Norris could play for the University of Memphis next year the way she played Tuesday night, they would have a freshman phenom on their hands.
Norris, who has committed to Memphis, poured in 27 points and was 5-of-8 from the three-point line in only three quarters in an 87-39 victory for Homewood-Flossmoor (15-5, 5-2) over Lincoln-Way Central (7-10, 2-4).
The Knights came into the Southwest Suburban Blue matchup hoping to make the Vikings play in the half-court.
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“They are a little slower and more sluggish offensively when they’re not in transition,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Loren Hess said.
The Knights wouldn’t see much of Homewood-Flossmoor in the half-court, however, as the Vikings used the fast-break to their advantage. Homewood-Flossmoor started the game on a 15-3 run, capped off by a steal and layup from Norris.
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“We put pressure on them,” Vikings coach Dana Noble said. “We created some turnovers, and we finished on the other end.”
Leading 19-7 at the start of the second quarter, Homewood-Flossmoor pushed its to 43-20 halftime cushion, capped by a fast-break layup from senior guard Ashley Collins.
“Their pressure affected us and got in our head,” Hess said. “But we had way too many unforced errors, too.”
Hess said his team has struggled dealing with pressure all season. “We have to handle the ball better,” he said.
The Vikings didn’t let up in the second half, extending the lead to 42 points by the start of the fourth quarter. In the third quarter Norris hit a three from the corner for her 27th point. She didn’t play at all in the final quarter.
“We just really came out ready to play,” Norris said. “And we were really focused.”
Noble said his substitutes were ready to play.
“They were excited to get out there and play,” he said. “They got out there and they made a few baskets early on, and I think their emotions got up higher and they just continued to keep up the defense.”
The Knights did not threaten in the fourth quarter. “It’s been a theme that we are not an offensive juggernaut,” Hess said. “We had many open looks again. We left points on the floor. But we’re starting to convert more than we have been in the recent past.”
Vikings junior forward Amena Brent had 11 points, while junior guard Charnelle Reed and sophomore guard Lauren Parker each had nine points.
Junior guard Kayla Pope led the Knights with 11 points.
