Sydney Schultz wouldn’t have it any other way.
When Oswego East’s senior forward passed 1,000 career points in the first quarter Wednesday, it only made sense that Ty Battle was on the assisting end.
Who else?
Those two have been seemingly connected at the hip for 39 wins the last two years, and they’re not even close to being done.
Schultz and Battle put their fingerprints all over yet another Wolves’ win, knocking off Lemont 75-37 in the second round of the Oswego East Holiday Classic.
Battle, an Indiana State recruit, had 24 points, six rebounds and five assists. Missouri State-bound Schultz added 13 points, four rebounds and five assists. Amaya Johns chipped in nine points and Jada Boatright had eight points and seven rebounds for Oswego East (11-2).
Schultz, already her school’s career rebound leader, again added her name to the record books two minutes into the game.
She took a lob from Battle for a layup, and in doing so joined Venita Parsons and Battle as the only Wolves to score 1,000 career points.
“She’s earned every point she gets,” Oswego East coach Abe Carretto said. “She’s hit one 3-pointer. It takes a little longer to get to 1,000 when you’re not shooting threes and you’re always around the basket. She’s had a really good career, and it’s nice to do it at home.”
Schultz was just getting started, too, scoring nine of her 13 points in the first quarter against Lemont (6-5). She dropped in a short turnaround jumper, scored on a putback and knocked in three free throws.
She and her tall running mate seem best on the run, like when they closed the quarter.
Schultz stole the ball and threw ahead to Battle on the break, who passed back to Schultz for a nifty end to a 24-13 quarter.
“We had a good stretch late first quarter, early second where we were getting a lot of steals and our press was doing well,” Carretto said. “We came out strong in the third quarter and took it from there.”
Battle and Schultz can do much more than score, apparent once again out of halftime.
Leading 40-27, Battle started an 18-2 run on a basket off Schultz’s feed. Battle’s steal turned into a layup by Jesinde Thomas at the other end. Thomas was at the receiving end of a give-and-go with Schultz later in the quarter.
“Their passing creates a lot of offense for us,” Carretto said. “They’re in on so many plays.”
Oswego East still has unfinished business.
The Wolves have never won their tournament, and they’ve been to the final only once. They can get back with a semifinal win on Thursday against Sycamore, a team that upset Oswego East last year in the second round.
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“Hopefully we can get a little revenge,” Carretto said.
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.