Ninth-ranked Benet might have believed it had an advantage over Stevenson coming into the teams’ girls basketball season opener Wednesday. The Patriots had only one practice with their entire starting five and had to open on the road.
But Stevenson knocked off the Redwings 43-38 behind 24 points and six three-pointers from hot-shooting Jessica Altieri.
“This proves practice is overrated,” Stevenson coach Frank Mattucci said. “I had a good feeling about the way Altieri played last year as the sixth man.”
Erin Murtha added 13 points and Kelly Hamilton, who scored three points, was lauded by Mattucci for her defense on Chandra Smith (one point), Benet’s second-leading scorer last season.
“Our defense paid off-that’s what got me my open looks, especially in the first quarter,” Altieri said.
Stevenson had an 11-2 lead after one quarter but needed Murtha’s shot at the halftime buzzer to forge a 16-16 tie.
Benet, behind Jordan Wilson’s 13 points, climbed out of a 10-point fourth-quarter hole to get within 36-34 with 1:04 remaining, but the Patriots closed out the victory from the free-throw line.
Mother McAuley 48, Joliet 45: Amy Harmening had 10 points and seven rebounds and scored a basket to put the No. 8 Mighty Macs up for good in the season-opening win. Bridget Boyce added 11 points for McAuley.
Maine South 60, Rolling Meadows 42: Britt Luxton had 19 points and hit five three-pointers to lead No. 14 Maine South (1-0).
Liz Bondi chipped in with 14 points and Anne Forde had 13 for the Hawks.
Maine West 55, Trinity 45: Maine West used a 16-0 run at the end of the second quarter and all but nine seconds of the third to upset No. 16 Trinity. Katie Panegasser had 14 points and six rebounds to lead the Warriors (1-0), while Megan Brandt and Kristian Brighton added 13 points each and Katie Blonn had 10.
Caprice Smith led Trinity with 17 points and seven rebounds.
The Blazers (1-1) had closed to within 43-40 with 4:37 left in the game, but Maine West closed the game with a 12-5 run.
York 73, Timothy Christian 39: Krystal Hugelier opened the game with a three-pointer on her first shot and had 15 points, three assists and two steals, while Gina Hugelier added 11 points in the Dukes’ season-opening win.
Mary Pyne added 14 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for York, which outscored the Trojans 20-5 in the first quarter and 24-6 in the third quarter.
More Top Picks Best Dyson Fans
“I just wanted to get my first shot through. That was a real confidence boost,” said Krystal Hugelier, who along with her twin sister played their first game for York after transferring from Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Barbie Heerdt scored 11 points to lead Timothy Christian (0-1).