Fenwick High School girls basketball coach Dave Power got a late Christmas present when All-State guard Jade Owens returned to the lineup Saturday.
Owens hadn’t played since severely spraining her ankle during the second minute of the season opener against cross-town rival Oak Park-River Forest. The Creighton recruit wasn’t exactly in mid-season form but still scored 10 of her team-high 14 points in the second half as the host Friars upset Carmel 57-48 in East Suburban Catholic Conference action in Oak Park.
“It was great to have her back,” Power said. “It’s been a long wait. It really gives the other girls some confidence.”
Owens shot only 6-for-20 (30 percent) from the field but she came up with some big plays at key times. One came in the fourth quarter as the Corsairs (13-4, 2-2) had pulled within 47-42 and had a chance to make it one-possession game.
“Carmel had a breakaway and Jade blocked it from behind, just blasted it out of bounds,” Power said.
Owens then scored on a layup and the Friars (8-12, 2-2), despite missing 10 of 15 free throws, never looked back. While Owens still isn’t 100 percent, Power is encouraged by her effort.
“She was just a little rusty,” Power said. “I think she felt it a little bit because she needs to get the cardio back.
“All the athleticism and quickness is there but sometimes she was playing a little cautiously and you can’t blame her for that. But once she got the blood flowing she was the same old Jade. It was nice to see.”
Power was even happier with the way the Friars began their first game of 2014. The hosts opened up with a 22-2 run and led 30-6 at one point before settling for a 30-12 halftime lead.
Maya Garland led the early onslaught by scoring 10 of her 12 points before the break, including a pair of three-pointers. Jenny Mackowiak added 10 points and Kiki Sheard had eight points.
But it was the defense which opened Powers’ eyes. At one point, Carmel went without a basket for over 13 minutes.
“We were a little rusty at the start but we gave a great effort defensively,” said Power, whose team had a two-week layoff after going 0-3 at the Orange Bowl tournament in Miami. “That first unit really put the clamps on them. We held them to two baskets in the first half.”
Power, who alternates two units of five, started freshmen Giselle Diaz and Ellie Schaefer and both played a role in the early run. Selena Mullis and Kelly Canoy, who had four points and five rebounds, also made key contributions.
While the Friars will be without another top player, Deja Cage, for the rest of the season due to injury, Power is optimistic that his squad can pull a few more upsets. The Friars have marquee matchups remaining at unbeaten Joliet Catholic on Thursday, and against 2013 state runner-up Rolling Meadows (15-2) at the McDonald’s Shootout at Willowbrook on Monday, Jan. 20.
Also on the schedule are away games at Geneva and unbeaten New Trier and home dates with Wheaton Warrenville South (15-2) and reigning state champion Marian Catholic (13-3).
“We have a lot of big games coming up,” Power said. “I believe we’ll be hitting our stride when it matters. I’ve had years where we’ve gone into the state tournament a little low on energy, but I’m looking forward to the stretch run.”