Warriors make their move: Renner scores 20 in Sterling’s third straight rout

STERLING – Nicole Renner’s back was bothering her the past couple of weeks as volleyball ended and basketball began.

Things seemed just fine Thursday night.

Renner led all players with a personal-best 20 points and five assists as Sterling defeated Dixon 60-29 at Musgrove Fieldhouse on the third day of the Sauk Valley Shootout.

“I feel really good, no pain at all,” said Renner, all smiles. “We’ve been playing these Dixon girls since fifth grade, and nothing was going to keep me away from this one.”

Renner and Lauren Hernandez (9 points) got the Golden Warriors (3-0) going early. The two guards made aggressive drives to the basket, turning them into layups, pull-up jumpers or assists to Sterling’s post players.

“Every game, we want to come out aggressive,” Renner said. “We knew they only played seven girls.

“We thought if we could go up and down the court,” Renner continued, “it might wear them out.”

Dixon’s main offense early came from sophomore post player Catie Cox, who scored six of her seven points in the first 10 minutes and had four of her five rebounds before halftime.

Sterling countered with sophomore guard Aleena Hammelman. The transfer from Sterling Christian provided a spark off the bench when the Warriors went a bit stagnant in the second quarter.

“That’s always my mentality, go to the basket, go after the ball,” said Hammelman, who had 10 points, seven rebounds and four steals. “My coaches have always told me to be aggressive with the ball, be aggressive on defense. That’s the only way I know how to play.”

The Duchesses (0-3) did a better job after halftime of matching Sterling’s aggressiveness. Trailing 30-9 at the break, Dixon fought back in the third quarter behind Susie Hicks. The junior guard scored 12 of her team-high 15 points in the period.

“We started out slow,” Hicks said, “and I think we got down on ourselves when we got down by so much. But after halftime, I think we got the intensity built up a little bit and tried to make things happen.”

Dixon struggled with layups and free throws. The Duchesses missed many chances inside 5 feet, and couldn’t capitalize when they got into the bonus late in the third quarter.