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Central beats South in offensive showdown between Rush, Romiti
Hinsdale Central's Gabrielle Rush (right) goes up for a shot while guarded by Hinsdale South's Mary Clare Ladd (left) during their game on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, in Darien. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 25, 2013 1:45AM
DARIEN — One fan after Thursday night’s game between Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South called it the “Romiti & Rush Show.”
But Hinsdale South senior guard Toni Romiti said she would have traded in all 38 of her career-high points and her career-high 10 3-pointers for a win against the Hornets’ District 86 rival.
In a jaw-dropping offensive display, Romiti and Hinsdale Central sophomore Gabrielle Rush each established new career highs in scoring during Central’s 58-48 victory in the opening round of the Hinsdale South Thanksgiving tournament. Rush, who scored a then career-high 29 points in her varsity debut last season, finished with 32 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including five 3-pointers.
Romiti’s previous career high was also 29 points when she hit eight 3-pointers (which was a personal best at the time) in the first game of her sophomore season against Lemont.
“My knees hurt. My body hurts,” Romiti said. “I never fall in love with my shot. I never overthink it. I just shoot it.”
Romiti scored all 13 of her team’s points in the second quarter and all 11 points in the third quarter for the Hornets (1-1). After Mary Clare Ladd’s 3-pointer with 2:01 to go in the first quarter, the next player to score for South besides Romiti was McKenzie Kern, who made a free throw with 5:23 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Rush scored all 10 of her team’s points in the first quarter and scored Central’s first basket in the second quarter. The Red Devils (1-1) ended a six-game losing streak in the tournament and picked up their first tournament win for third-year coach Tom McKenna.
“Everyone plays as a team. If (my scoring) comes, it comes,” Rush said. “I definitely could have made more open ones. There is always room for improvement.”
Both scoring leaders had 27 points at the end of the third quarter. Romiti shot 10-of-17 from 3-point range while Rush made 5-of-8 3-pointers.
Lily Sarros added 14 points and 15 rebounds for Central, which led 50-34 at the end of the third quarter.
