Morris' Miller Proves Too Much for Yorkville to Handle

MORRIS -- The Yorkville girls basketball team had no answer for  Morris’ Layney Miller.

Miller scored a game-high 30 points in the Redskins' 40-33 victory on Tuesday night.

Yorkville (8-8) fought to an 8-4 lead in the first quarter, secured by a quick defense that limited Miller to two baskets. However, the Foxes struggled to crack a strong Morris defense in the second quarter and were menaced by Miller, a 5-8 senior who scored eight points to pull the Redskins ahead 17-12 at the half.

“We came in to this game the best we've been playing all season, but today was a step backward,” Yorkville coach Luke Engelhardt said. “We just didn’t have the energy.”

Yorkville’s attempts to regain its lead fell to a flurry of fouls in the second half.  The Foxes' nine fouls allowed Miller to sink 10-of-11 shots from the free throw line, bringing her point total to 30.

Yorkville, meanwhile, failed to take advantage of the Redskins’ fouls.

“Our defensive posture was one reason we got in that position with fouls,” Engelhardt said. “And we gave up too many second-chance points.”

The Foxes didn’t connect on enough shots in the second half to compete with Miller. Yorkville senior Jenny Taptich led the Foxes with nine points, followed by junior Cara Schlichting with eight.

“Our shots didn’t fall and were knocked out by Miller,” Engelhardt said.

The Foxes play their next game at home on Thursday against Ottawa. Engelhardt hopes they can bring more to the floor against what he says is a tough team with a strong defense.

“Hopefully, we come in with a little more energy,” he said. “It’s at home, so that should help us.”